What not to miss during the Olympics
MICHELLE KAUFMAN
SATURDAY, JULY 28
Don’t miss: The most-hyped rivalry of these Olympics gets under way in the swimming pool with Americans Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte in the 400-meter individual medley final. Buckle your seat belts!
Other highlights: The U.S. women’s volleyball team play its opening match against South Korea. Plus, three other gold-medal swimming finals – the men’s 400 free and women’s 400 IM and 400 free relay; first-round tennis matches from Wimbledon; U.S. women’s basketball vs. Croatia; men’s gymnastics begins; U.S. women’s soccer (Abby Wambach, Hope Solo & Co.) vs. Colombia.
SUNDAY, JULY 29
Don’t miss: Women’s gymnastics gets going.
Other highlights: LeBron James and the star-studded U.S. men’s basketball team takes on France this morning.
MONDAY, JULY 30
Don’t miss: 17-year-old Missy “The Missile” Franklin, she of the size 13 feet, competes in the 100-meter backstroke final. Last year, at 16, she won five world medals.
TUESDAY, JULY 31
Don’t miss: The pixies are back in the spotlight as Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team goes for the gold-medal team final. Will there be another Kerri Strug-like dramatic moment? The U.S. is favored after winning the 2011 world title. Stay tuned.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 1
Don’t miss: Danell Leyva is back in the spotlight as he competes for the men’s gymnastics all-around final. The man to beat is Kohei Uchimura of Japan, the three-time world champion.
THURSDAY, AUG. 2
Don’t miss: Grab your American flags. Big Day for the U-S-A as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte go head to head in the 200 IM final.
FRIDAY, AUG. 3
Don’t miss: Attention moves to the London Olympic Stadium, where track and field gets going.
SATURDAY, AUG. 4
Don’t miss: The marquee track event tonight is the women’s 100-meter final, where Jamaicans Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce battle Americans Carmelita Jeter and Allyson Felix.
Other highlights: Serena Williams, fresh off her fifth Wimbledon title, could be going for her first Olympic singles gold medal.
SUNDAY, AUG. 5
Don’t miss: The glamour event of the Olympics – the men’s 100-meter final – is sure to be spectacular with reigning champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica going up against countryman Yohan Blake and Americans Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay.
MONDAY, AUG. 6
Don’t miss: In track, LaShawn Merritt is the man to beat in the 400 meters, where he has won eight of 11 finals since coming off a 21-month drug suspension. But the runner getting the most attention is likely to be Oscar “The Blade Runner” Pistorius of South Africa, a double amputee who is making history by becoming the first amputee runner to compete in the able-bodied Olympics. Some critics claim his springy prosthetic legs give him an advantage, so his inclusion in the games has gotten much publicity.
TUESDAY, AUG. 7
Don’t miss: Gymnastics concludes tonight. Romania’s Larisa Iordache, “The New Nadia,” is expected to dazzle on the floor, while Aly Raisman is America’s best hope.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8
Don’t miss: Huge night at the track. Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown beat American Allyson Felix for gold at 200 meters in 2004 and 2008, and Felix is determined to turn things around.
THURSDAY, AUG. 9
Don’t miss: The U.S. women’s soccer team won the past two Olympics and is hungry to win a third to avenge the loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final. The final is being played at Wembley Stadium, making it extra special.
FRIDAY, AUG. 10
Don’t miss: The final weekend kicks off with the men’s basketball semifinals (U.S., Spain, Lithuania, Argentina, France all contenders).
SATURDAY, AUG. 11
Don’t miss: Team gold medal games dominate the schedule with the men’s soccer final, women’s basketball final, and women’s volleyball final. The U.S. women’s basketball team beat opponents by an average of 37.6 points in Beijing, and appears a lock.
SUNDAY, AUG. 12
Don’t miss: The Olympic men’s marathon is always good for some drama. Back in 1908, the first time London hosted the Olympics, the iconic image was of staggering Italian marathoner Dorando Pietri being helped over the finish line by British officials. Pietri entered the stadium first, but collapsed on the track a few times before he was carried to the finish. He was disqualified for receiving aid, and become an international hero.
Other highlights: Men’s basketball gold medal game (otherwise known as the NBA All-Star Game). The Closing Ceremonies will be shown on prime time. The big news there is that the Spice Girls are reuniting for the big occasion! Oh, yes, and good news for teeny bopper girls everywhere—One Direction is expected to perform.
