Rhythmic Gymnast the Only American in Her Sport at Olympics

Rhythmic gymnast Julie Zetlin of Bethesda will begin competing at the Olympics in London today, the only U.S. competitor in the event.

Competition will last through the weekend, with finals Sunday. Here is the full schedule.

Zetlin received an encouraging send-off by family and friends two weeks ago. She trained at Capital Rhythmics in Darnestown. Her coach, Olga Kutuzova, is by her side in London.

NBC 4 Washington television news profiled her story before she left and she is featured prominantly on NBC's national coverage of the Olympics.

Her full Olympic profile reveals that she will be the first U.S. rhythmic athlete to compete at the Olympics since 2004 and that her mother, Zsuzsi, was a national champion rhythmic gymnast in her native Hungary.

Look for the hashtag #JulCool on Twitter to follow her progress.