RIO DE JANEIRO: American Gwen Jorgensen is the gold medal favorite in the women's Olympic triathlon at Copacabana Beach on Saturday.

Jorgensen was an All-American track star at the University of Wisconsin, where she also was on the swim team. She was recruited to try triathlon seven years ago and is now the top woman in the sport.

She's won back-to-back ITU world championships but cut back on her schedule this year so she could focus on the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Her 2012 London Games didn't go well as a flat tire on her bike relegated her to 38th place in Hyde Park.

The triathlon at the Rio Olympics consists of a one-loop ocean swim, a steep 24-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run.