Monday, August 13, 2012
Nadezhda Ostapchuk tests positive
Nadezhda Ostapchuk of Belarus tested positive for metenolone, an anabolic steroid, and was stripped of her gold medal in the women's shot put. Valerie Adams of New Zealand now wins her second consecutive gold medal in the event. Ostapchuk is the first London gold medalist to test positive, and let's hope she is the last. I am being very optomistic here that all the other athletes competed cleanly, perhaps a little naive on my part. Ostapchuk, age 31, is the married mother of three.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Top Twenty Moments of the Games
I would normally create a top 10 list, but there were so many indelible and exciting moments that I have decided to create a top 20. These are my personal choices and I am sure I have left out some moments and events others would include.
#20 - Women's 1500 Meter Run - To me the most heartbreaking moment of the Games. Last year at the world championships, Morgan Uceny was the best 1500 meter runner in the world when she was tripped up in the finals and finished tenth. Heading into the final lap at Olympic Stadium, Uceny once again fell, leaving her in tears on the track. There is no telling how she would have done over the last lap, but there is the unfortunate part of it. We will never know if she could have had the crowning moment of her career and at age 27, Rio is four very long years away.
#19 - Women's Water Polo Final - United States vs. Spain. While their more celebrated counterparts were winning a third consecutive gold medal in soccer, the women of water polo captured a first gold medal after two silvers and a bronze. Heather Petri and Brenda Villa finally brought home gold after appearing in all four Olympic tournaments.
#18 - Women's Judo 78kg. The United States had never captured a judo gold medal in the previous ten Olympiads they had participated in. Kyla Harrison, the 2010 world champion, had moved to Massachusetts to train with double Olympic bronze medalist Jimmy Pedro, and put her life back together after acknowledging sexual abuse by a previous coach. Harrison did capture a first ever U.S. gold and was jubilant in her celebration.
#17 - Men's Basketball Final - Twenty years after the Dream Team, the United States sent a men's squad loaded with superstars and punctuated with role players. The tenacious Spaniards showed how far the international game has come by keeping the game very close through the third quarter before Kobe, LeBron and Kevin Durant took charge and led the Americans to a 14th gold medal.
#16 - Women's Singles Tennis Final - Serena Williams gave one of the most dominating performances of the Games by thoroughly pasting Maria Sharapova in the final 6-0, 6-1. Serena completed the career Golden Slam and then teamed with sister Venus to win a third doubles gold and become the only player to win the Golden Slam in singles and doubles.
#15 - Women's Floor Exercise - During the qualifying round of women's gymnastics Aly Raisman almost seemed like the villain when her performances on balance beam and floor exercise propelled her into the all-around ahead of team headliner and defending world all-around champion Jordyn Wieber. After delivering a decisive final performance in the team final, Raisman lost a bronze in the all-around on a tiebreaker. Returning for the event finals, Raisman was spectacular in the floor final, with a scintillating performance to easily capture the gold.
#14 - Women's 200 Meter Backstroke - Missy Franklin showed her promise in winning the world championship in this event last year as a 16 year old. The extremely likeable teenager was the swimmer of the Olympics and punctuated it with a world record.
#13 - Men's 100 Meter Final - Always one of the highlights of the Olympics, the 100 meters is so perfectly simple, a footrace from point A to point B, fastest takes the gold. Usain Bolt quieted the doubters with the second fastest performance in history ahead of a stellar field and won the first of his three gold medals that cemented his status as the greatest sprinter in history and begins to put him in the upper echelon of all Olympians.
#12 - Men's 200 Meter Butterfly - Michael Phelps made his Olympic debut in this event in 2000 as a 15 year old, finishing fifth. He hadn't lost a final in this event in over a decade, but just as things all went Phelps's was four years ago, he was a little too long on the final stroke and got edged out by South African Chad le Clos who had previously won a gold medal...at the 2010 Youth Olympics.le Clos will be able to tell his grandchildren one day that he beat Michael Phelps in the Olympics.
#11 - Women's All-Around Gymnastics - Ever since Olga Korbut came out of nowhere to charm American TV audiences 40 years ago, the women's all-around has been one of the most featured events on the program. Gabby Douglas, the youngest and least renowned member of the world championship team a year ago, Douglas was the steadiest and best under pressure of the contenders. For the rest of her life, she will be known in gymnastics circles simply as Gabby.
#10 - Men's 200 Meter Individual Medley - After finishing fourth in the 400 IM and second in the 200 butterfly, it looked as though the magic of Beijing was gone for good. Phelps turned things around with this event, winning the second of his four gold medals, by dominating the field including teammate Ryan Lochte who had beaten him in the 400 IM and in this event at the 2011 worlds.
#9 - Women's Soccer semifinal - They are the best known women's team in the country. A heartbreaking loss to Japan at the 2011 World Cup left Team U.S.A. pointing to London for redemption. A rematch with Japan and eventual gold medal almost never happened, until Alex Morgan scored a goal in the 123rd minute to overcome a hat trick from Canadian superstar Chrstine Sinclair, leaving the Canadians devastated in a controversial loss.
#8 - Women's Beach Volleyball Semifinals - Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh Jennings captured a third straight gold medal in the finals over fellow Americans April Ross and Jenn Kessy. The May-Traenor/Walsh Jennings semifinal win over Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China, 22-20, 22-20 was as exciting a contest as you will see on the beach.
#7 - Men's 10 Meter Platform Diving - The Chinese have dominated diving for twenty years and had won six of the first seven events. Qui Bo entered as the heavy favorite, the 2011 world champion had won that event by 41.2 points over silver medalist David Boudia. The Brits had a special interest as 2009 world champion Tom Daley was facing enormous pressure as one of the most recognizable athletes in Great Britain. The level of diving was exceptional and entering the final dive Daley led Boudia and Qui by 0.15 points. Daley had a lower degree of difficulty on the final dive which left the door open. Boudia scored three 9.5's which meant that Qui would need at least one 10 to win. The final dive from Qui was excellent, but fell just short of the scores needed, making Boudia the first American male diver to win gold in twenty years.
#6 - Men's Cycling Time Trial - Just a week before the Games, Bradley Wiggins became the first Brit to capture the Tour de France. With the pressure of expectations and tens of thousands lining the course, Wiggins delivered a gold, the fourth of his career and a momentary British record seventh medal overall.
#5 - Men's 10000 Meters - Mo Farah of Great Britain was the favorite, but the traditional powers Kenya and Ethiopia were going to try to control the race and keep Farah from winning. Showing great patience, Farah outkicked the field over the final lap with the crowd roaring to bring him home to the first British 10K gold in history. Behind him, Farah's training partner Galen Rupp captured the first American medal in the event in 48 years.
#4 - Men's Singles Tennis - A month before the Olympics, Roger Federer captured his seventh Wimbledon title over British hope Andy Murray, who came so close yet again. After two thrilling semifinals set up the rematch on Centre Court, Murray was never in jeopardy, winning Olympic gold at home before winning a Grand Slam event and preventing Federer from winning the Golden Slam.
#3 - Men's 800 Meter Run - Kenyan David Rudisha was the heavy favorite, the world champion and world record holder. World records in events over 400 meters are rare in championship races as there are no pace setters. It hasn't happened since the 1980 Olympics when Nadezhda Olizarenko of the Soviet Union established a new world record over 800 meters. Rudisha took the lead from the beginning, but was a second behind pace after 400 meters. He surged away from the field over the next 200 meters and maintained his form to establish a new world record and led the field to the best ever marks-for-place from 1st to 8th. A truly epic race.
#2 - Women's Team Gymnastics - Despite NBC's overselling of the American team and the endless hillbilly musical montages, the American women were spectacular. They hit every one of the twelve routines to capture the first American gold since 1996. These five teenagers, with no Olympic experience were wonderful. Even McKayla was impressed, before her peevish behavior on the vault medal stand went viral (http://mckaylaisnotimpressed.tumblr.com/)
#1 - Women's 4x100 Meter Relay - After years of poor handoffs, dropped batons and injuries, the Americans finally got it right, very right. The performance was astonishing. When the Soviets set a world record in the 4x400 meter relay at the 1988 Olympics, the world record book was essentially closed for women. World records in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 100 hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus throw, heptathlon and both relays all survived since the Reagan administration. The fall of communism in eastern Europe and random, out-of-competition drug testing were the two big factors in those records remaining. The world record in the 4x100 by and East Germany squad had lasted since 1985, before three of the American relay members were born. The Americans shattered the record and captured their first gold in the event in 16 years. Lauryn Williams ran the anchor leg in the heat and captured her first gold medal in her third Olympics. The perfection of the race and the breaking of one of the 24 plus year old world records made me jump off my couch in amazement and excitement.
So many wonderful memories, I could probably write a different list tomorrow.
Rio... 1,453 days and counting...
#20 - Women's 1500 Meter Run - To me the most heartbreaking moment of the Games. Last year at the world championships, Morgan Uceny was the best 1500 meter runner in the world when she was tripped up in the finals and finished tenth. Heading into the final lap at Olympic Stadium, Uceny once again fell, leaving her in tears on the track. There is no telling how she would have done over the last lap, but there is the unfortunate part of it. We will never know if she could have had the crowning moment of her career and at age 27, Rio is four very long years away.
#19 - Women's Water Polo Final - United States vs. Spain. While their more celebrated counterparts were winning a third consecutive gold medal in soccer, the women of water polo captured a first gold medal after two silvers and a bronze. Heather Petri and Brenda Villa finally brought home gold after appearing in all four Olympic tournaments.
#18 - Women's Judo 78kg. The United States had never captured a judo gold medal in the previous ten Olympiads they had participated in. Kyla Harrison, the 2010 world champion, had moved to Massachusetts to train with double Olympic bronze medalist Jimmy Pedro, and put her life back together after acknowledging sexual abuse by a previous coach. Harrison did capture a first ever U.S. gold and was jubilant in her celebration.
#17 - Men's Basketball Final - Twenty years after the Dream Team, the United States sent a men's squad loaded with superstars and punctuated with role players. The tenacious Spaniards showed how far the international game has come by keeping the game very close through the third quarter before Kobe, LeBron and Kevin Durant took charge and led the Americans to a 14th gold medal.
#16 - Women's Singles Tennis Final - Serena Williams gave one of the most dominating performances of the Games by thoroughly pasting Maria Sharapova in the final 6-0, 6-1. Serena completed the career Golden Slam and then teamed with sister Venus to win a third doubles gold and become the only player to win the Golden Slam in singles and doubles.
#15 - Women's Floor Exercise - During the qualifying round of women's gymnastics Aly Raisman almost seemed like the villain when her performances on balance beam and floor exercise propelled her into the all-around ahead of team headliner and defending world all-around champion Jordyn Wieber. After delivering a decisive final performance in the team final, Raisman lost a bronze in the all-around on a tiebreaker. Returning for the event finals, Raisman was spectacular in the floor final, with a scintillating performance to easily capture the gold.
#14 - Women's 200 Meter Backstroke - Missy Franklin showed her promise in winning the world championship in this event last year as a 16 year old. The extremely likeable teenager was the swimmer of the Olympics and punctuated it with a world record.
#13 - Men's 100 Meter Final - Always one of the highlights of the Olympics, the 100 meters is so perfectly simple, a footrace from point A to point B, fastest takes the gold. Usain Bolt quieted the doubters with the second fastest performance in history ahead of a stellar field and won the first of his three gold medals that cemented his status as the greatest sprinter in history and begins to put him in the upper echelon of all Olympians.
#12 - Men's 200 Meter Butterfly - Michael Phelps made his Olympic debut in this event in 2000 as a 15 year old, finishing fifth. He hadn't lost a final in this event in over a decade, but just as things all went Phelps's was four years ago, he was a little too long on the final stroke and got edged out by South African Chad le Clos who had previously won a gold medal...at the 2010 Youth Olympics.le Clos will be able to tell his grandchildren one day that he beat Michael Phelps in the Olympics.
#11 - Women's All-Around Gymnastics - Ever since Olga Korbut came out of nowhere to charm American TV audiences 40 years ago, the women's all-around has been one of the most featured events on the program. Gabby Douglas, the youngest and least renowned member of the world championship team a year ago, Douglas was the steadiest and best under pressure of the contenders. For the rest of her life, she will be known in gymnastics circles simply as Gabby.
#10 - Men's 200 Meter Individual Medley - After finishing fourth in the 400 IM and second in the 200 butterfly, it looked as though the magic of Beijing was gone for good. Phelps turned things around with this event, winning the second of his four gold medals, by dominating the field including teammate Ryan Lochte who had beaten him in the 400 IM and in this event at the 2011 worlds.
#9 - Women's Soccer semifinal - They are the best known women's team in the country. A heartbreaking loss to Japan at the 2011 World Cup left Team U.S.A. pointing to London for redemption. A rematch with Japan and eventual gold medal almost never happened, until Alex Morgan scored a goal in the 123rd minute to overcome a hat trick from Canadian superstar Chrstine Sinclair, leaving the Canadians devastated in a controversial loss.
#8 - Women's Beach Volleyball Semifinals - Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh Jennings captured a third straight gold medal in the finals over fellow Americans April Ross and Jenn Kessy. The May-Traenor/Walsh Jennings semifinal win over Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China, 22-20, 22-20 was as exciting a contest as you will see on the beach.
#7 - Men's 10 Meter Platform Diving - The Chinese have dominated diving for twenty years and had won six of the first seven events. Qui Bo entered as the heavy favorite, the 2011 world champion had won that event by 41.2 points over silver medalist David Boudia. The Brits had a special interest as 2009 world champion Tom Daley was facing enormous pressure as one of the most recognizable athletes in Great Britain. The level of diving was exceptional and entering the final dive Daley led Boudia and Qui by 0.15 points. Daley had a lower degree of difficulty on the final dive which left the door open. Boudia scored three 9.5's which meant that Qui would need at least one 10 to win. The final dive from Qui was excellent, but fell just short of the scores needed, making Boudia the first American male diver to win gold in twenty years.
#6 - Men's Cycling Time Trial - Just a week before the Games, Bradley Wiggins became the first Brit to capture the Tour de France. With the pressure of expectations and tens of thousands lining the course, Wiggins delivered a gold, the fourth of his career and a momentary British record seventh medal overall.
#5 - Men's 10000 Meters - Mo Farah of Great Britain was the favorite, but the traditional powers Kenya and Ethiopia were going to try to control the race and keep Farah from winning. Showing great patience, Farah outkicked the field over the final lap with the crowd roaring to bring him home to the first British 10K gold in history. Behind him, Farah's training partner Galen Rupp captured the first American medal in the event in 48 years.
#4 - Men's Singles Tennis - A month before the Olympics, Roger Federer captured his seventh Wimbledon title over British hope Andy Murray, who came so close yet again. After two thrilling semifinals set up the rematch on Centre Court, Murray was never in jeopardy, winning Olympic gold at home before winning a Grand Slam event and preventing Federer from winning the Golden Slam.
#3 - Men's 800 Meter Run - Kenyan David Rudisha was the heavy favorite, the world champion and world record holder. World records in events over 400 meters are rare in championship races as there are no pace setters. It hasn't happened since the 1980 Olympics when Nadezhda Olizarenko of the Soviet Union established a new world record over 800 meters. Rudisha took the lead from the beginning, but was a second behind pace after 400 meters. He surged away from the field over the next 200 meters and maintained his form to establish a new world record and led the field to the best ever marks-for-place from 1st to 8th. A truly epic race.
#2 - Women's Team Gymnastics - Despite NBC's overselling of the American team and the endless hillbilly musical montages, the American women were spectacular. They hit every one of the twelve routines to capture the first American gold since 1996. These five teenagers, with no Olympic experience were wonderful. Even McKayla was impressed, before her peevish behavior on the vault medal stand went viral (http://mckaylaisnotimpressed.tumblr.com/)
#1 - Women's 4x100 Meter Relay - After years of poor handoffs, dropped batons and injuries, the Americans finally got it right, very right. The performance was astonishing. When the Soviets set a world record in the 4x400 meter relay at the 1988 Olympics, the world record book was essentially closed for women. World records in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 100 hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus throw, heptathlon and both relays all survived since the Reagan administration. The fall of communism in eastern Europe and random, out-of-competition drug testing were the two big factors in those records remaining. The world record in the 4x100 by and East Germany squad had lasted since 1985, before three of the American relay members were born. The Americans shattered the record and captured their first gold in the event in 16 years. Lauryn Williams ran the anchor leg in the heat and captured her first gold medal in her third Olympics. The perfection of the race and the breaking of one of the 24 plus year old world records made me jump off my couch in amazement and excitement.
So many wonderful memories, I could probably write a different list tomorrow.
Rio... 1,453 days and counting...
What to Watch - Sunday 8/12
The Games wrap up with the Closing Ceremony tonight in prime time, but there are still gold medals to be given out earlier today.
Gold: Basketball - Men's Final - 10:00a.m. (NBC) - Fortunately, the haven't been called the "Dream Team," but this American team is still pretty good and they face Spain in the gold medal final for the third time.
Silver: Boxing - Men's Super Heavyweight Final - 10:15a.m. (CNBC) The Brits are looking to cap an awesome Games with another big boxing win. Anthony Joshua faces Italy's Roberto Cammarelle for gold.
Bronze: Freestyle Wrestling - Men's 96kg Final - 9:48a.m. - American Jake Warner looks to add another American golds to the tally against Ukranian Valerii Andritsev.
Gold: Basketball - Men's Final - 10:00a.m. (NBC) - Fortunately, the haven't been called the "Dream Team," but this American team is still pretty good and they face Spain in the gold medal final for the third time.
Silver: Boxing - Men's Super Heavyweight Final - 10:15a.m. (CNBC) The Brits are looking to cap an awesome Games with another big boxing win. Anthony Joshua faces Italy's Roberto Cammarelle for gold.
Bronze: Freestyle Wrestling - Men's 96kg Final - 9:48a.m. - American Jake Warner looks to add another American golds to the tally against Ukranian Valerii Andritsev.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
More Awful Coverage By NBC
Really upset with NBC Olympic coverage. Some of it has been really bad and jingoistic. But why did they decide to hijack the women's volleyball final to prime time coverage tonight? They showed each of the US team's previous seven contests in these Games live and complete. They stowed it into the final hour and just showed half of the first set won easily by the Americans and then came back with Brazil up 2 sets to 1 and leading the fourth set easily. Why show it tonight? They didn't show any of the competitive part of the match. Disgusting job by NBC, even worse than the men's gymnastics all-around or any of the field events. If you have your favorite sport shown in prime time by NBC, you're screwed!
What to Watch - Saturday 8/11
The penultimate day of the Games has most of the action wrapping up. The final day on the track, finals in boxing and most women's team sports.
Gold: Volleyball - Women's Final - U.S.A. vs. Brazil - 1:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) A rematch of the 2008 Beijing final, the U.S. women's team is undefeated this year and ranked number one in the world. Hugh McCutcheon coached the U.S. men to gold four years ago and is working the same magic with the women before heading off to coach the University of Minnesota. The American women are making a third appearance in the final (1984 as well as 2008) and attempting to capture a first ever gold medal. Destinee won three NCAA high jump championships, but she is looking for gold in volleyball rather than on the track, ironically both finals are the same day. The U.S. team is compelling due to the number of veteran Olympians, including five-time Olympian Danielle Scott-Arruda at age 39.
Silver: Track & Field - Men's 4x100 Meter Relay - 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The final chance to see the great Usain Bolt in these Games as he will anchor the Jamaican relay team. The Americans look strong and are coached by Jon Drummond, who led the American women to a gold medal and world record on Friday. However, the Jamaicans have three of the five fastest men in 100 meter history, even with former world record holder Asafa Powell out due to injury. It might take a world record to win the gold.
Bronze: Diving - Men's 10 Meter Platform - 3:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) 2009 world champion Tom Daley and 2011 world silver medalist barely survived qualifying, but those scores do not carry over. China has won six of the seven diving events so far and Qiu Bo is the favorite here and the leading qualifier. Germany's Sascha Klein has been overlooked, but he might be Qui's biggest challenger. No athlete in London has been under more pressure than Daley who made his Olympic debut in Beijing at age 14.
Also:
Women's basketball final - U.S. vs. France @ 4:00p.m. (NBC)
Men's soccer final - Mexico vs. Brazil @ 10:00a.m. (NBCSN). Mexico has already captured their first soccer medal, and the soccer-mad Brazilians are looking to take Olympic gold for the first time.
Boxing - 56kg final - 3:45p.m. (CNBC) The crowd should be raucous, and split, as Britain's Luke Campbell takes on Ireland's John Joe Nevin.
Men's 5000 meter final - 2:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) Britain's Mo Farah captured the 10000 meter gold ahead of training partner Galen Rupp of the U.S.A. Olympic silver and bronze medalist Bernard Lagat of the U.S., a former Kenyan, is looking to finally take gold at age 37.
Women's 4x400 meter relay - 3:25p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The Americans look to take the gold as Sanya Richards-Ross and two other American 400 meter finalists are joined by 200 meter champion Allyson Felix. Both Richards-Ross and Felix could capture a fourth career gold medal. Challenges should come from Russia, Jamaica and Great Britain.
Gold: Volleyball - Women's Final - U.S.A. vs. Brazil - 1:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) A rematch of the 2008 Beijing final, the U.S. women's team is undefeated this year and ranked number one in the world. Hugh McCutcheon coached the U.S. men to gold four years ago and is working the same magic with the women before heading off to coach the University of Minnesota. The American women are making a third appearance in the final (1984 as well as 2008) and attempting to capture a first ever gold medal. Destinee won three NCAA high jump championships, but she is looking for gold in volleyball rather than on the track, ironically both finals are the same day. The U.S. team is compelling due to the number of veteran Olympians, including five-time Olympian Danielle Scott-Arruda at age 39.
Silver: Track & Field - Men's 4x100 Meter Relay - 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The final chance to see the great Usain Bolt in these Games as he will anchor the Jamaican relay team. The Americans look strong and are coached by Jon Drummond, who led the American women to a gold medal and world record on Friday. However, the Jamaicans have three of the five fastest men in 100 meter history, even with former world record holder Asafa Powell out due to injury. It might take a world record to win the gold.
Bronze: Diving - Men's 10 Meter Platform - 3:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) 2009 world champion Tom Daley and 2011 world silver medalist barely survived qualifying, but those scores do not carry over. China has won six of the seven diving events so far and Qiu Bo is the favorite here and the leading qualifier. Germany's Sascha Klein has been overlooked, but he might be Qui's biggest challenger. No athlete in London has been under more pressure than Daley who made his Olympic debut in Beijing at age 14.
Also:
Women's basketball final - U.S. vs. France @ 4:00p.m. (NBC)
Men's soccer final - Mexico vs. Brazil @ 10:00a.m. (NBCSN). Mexico has already captured their first soccer medal, and the soccer-mad Brazilians are looking to take Olympic gold for the first time.
Boxing - 56kg final - 3:45p.m. (CNBC) The crowd should be raucous, and split, as Britain's Luke Campbell takes on Ireland's John Joe Nevin.
Men's 5000 meter final - 2:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) Britain's Mo Farah captured the 10000 meter gold ahead of training partner Galen Rupp of the U.S.A. Olympic silver and bronze medalist Bernard Lagat of the U.S., a former Kenyan, is looking to finally take gold at age 37.
Women's 4x400 meter relay - 3:25p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The Americans look to take the gold as Sanya Richards-Ross and two other American 400 meter finalists are joined by 200 meter champion Allyson Felix. Both Richards-Ross and Felix could capture a fourth career gold medal. Challenges should come from Russia, Jamaica and Great Britain.
Friday, August 10, 2012
What to Watch - Friday 8/10
It's semifinal day for most of the men's team sports and boxing, the spotlight will be on track and field. It will tough to top the amazing night at the track on Thursday, highlighted by perhaps the best 800 meter and 200 meter races ever run as well as American 1-2 finishes in the triple jump and decathlon.
Gold: Track & Field - Women's 4x100 Meter Relay - 3:40p.m. (NBC Prime Time). The American "B" squad put up an astonishing 41.64 in the heats, just 0.04 off the Olympic record set in 1980 by East Germany. Expect Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter to take over legs two and four, respectively for the final. If the passes are nearly as good as they were in the heats the 27 year old world record of 41.37 by East Germany could be under threat and the Americans could win this event for the first time since Atlanta in 1996. The Jamaicans will challenge the Americans, but Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson are not in best form.
Silver: Track & Field - Men's 4x400 Meter Relay - 4:20p.m. (NBC Prime Time). The U.S. qualified for the final despite leadoff leg Manteo Mitchell running about half the race with a broken leg. He will be replaced by 400 meter hurdler Angelo Taylor in the final. The U.S. looks like they should still win as no other squad can put four strong legs together. Any challenges should come from the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and perhaps Great Britain.
Bronze: Track & Field - Women's 1500 Meters - 3:55p.m. (NBC Prime Time). Current world champion Jenny Simpson of he U.S. failed to qualify for the final, but Morgan Uceny was ranked first in the world last year despite a fall at the world championship final. Asli Cakir of Turkey, who has served a two-year drug suspension, is among the favorites as is Ethiopian Abeba Aregawi. Last year's world championships are not looking to be a good predictor of this year's Olympic final as the first nine finishers from the 2011 worlds did not qualify for the Olympic final. If this race is slow and tactical like the men's race, anything is possible.
Also:
The U.S. men's basketball team faces off against 2004 Olympic champions Argentina in the semifinals at 4:00p.m. (NBCSN)
Jordan Burroughs of the U.S. is the current world champion in 74kilogram freestyle wrestling. He won the worlds in his first year as an international wrestler after winning the NCAA title for Nebraska earlier in the year. The final is slated for 2:50p.m. (NBC)
Gold: Track & Field - Women's 4x100 Meter Relay - 3:40p.m. (NBC Prime Time). The American "B" squad put up an astonishing 41.64 in the heats, just 0.04 off the Olympic record set in 1980 by East Germany. Expect Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter to take over legs two and four, respectively for the final. If the passes are nearly as good as they were in the heats the 27 year old world record of 41.37 by East Germany could be under threat and the Americans could win this event for the first time since Atlanta in 1996. The Jamaicans will challenge the Americans, but Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson are not in best form.
Silver: Track & Field - Men's 4x400 Meter Relay - 4:20p.m. (NBC Prime Time). The U.S. qualified for the final despite leadoff leg Manteo Mitchell running about half the race with a broken leg. He will be replaced by 400 meter hurdler Angelo Taylor in the final. The U.S. looks like they should still win as no other squad can put four strong legs together. Any challenges should come from the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and perhaps Great Britain.
Bronze: Track & Field - Women's 1500 Meters - 3:55p.m. (NBC Prime Time). Current world champion Jenny Simpson of he U.S. failed to qualify for the final, but Morgan Uceny was ranked first in the world last year despite a fall at the world championship final. Asli Cakir of Turkey, who has served a two-year drug suspension, is among the favorites as is Ethiopian Abeba Aregawi. Last year's world championships are not looking to be a good predictor of this year's Olympic final as the first nine finishers from the 2011 worlds did not qualify for the Olympic final. If this race is slow and tactical like the men's race, anything is possible.
Also:
The U.S. men's basketball team faces off against 2004 Olympic champions Argentina in the semifinals at 4:00p.m. (NBCSN)
Jordan Burroughs of the U.S. is the current world champion in 74kilogram freestyle wrestling. He won the worlds in his first year as an international wrestler after winning the NCAA title for Nebraska earlier in the year. The final is slated for 2:50p.m. (NBC)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
What to WAtch - Thursday 8/9
Gold: Track & Field - Men's 200 Meters 3:55p.m. (NBC Prime Time) No man has ever repeated as Olympic champion at 200 meters, Usain Bolt is trying to become the first. Yohan Blake defeated Bolt at the Jamaican Trials, but Bolt looks to be in top form here. Churandy Martina of The Netherlands and American Wallace Spearmon were disqualified four years ago for lane violations after finishing second and third, respectively, behind Bolt. They figure to battle for the bronze behind the two Jamaicans.
Silver: Soccer - Women's Final - 2:45p.m. (NBCSN) The Americans are trying to win their third straight gold medal in a rematch of last year's World Cup final which Japan won on penalty kicks. The U.S. needed late heroics from Alex Morgan to defeat Canada 3-2 in the semifinals.
Bronze: Track & Field - Men's Decathlon - 1500 Meter Run @ 4:20p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The title of the world's greatest athlete has been bestowed upon the decathlon champion. One hundred years after Jim Thorpe won the inaugural decathlon gold, world record holder Ashton Eaton takes a lead into the second day against double world champion Trey Hardee. They set up the Americans for a potential 1-2 finish, although Hardee will have to get past the javelin throw after Tommy John surgery to his elbow this past winter.
Also:
Women's Water Polo Final - U.S.A. vs. Spain - 3:00p.m. (NBC). Brenda Villa leads the United States, she is playing in her fourth Olympics and has three medals, she is now looking for a first gold.
Women's Basketball semifinal - U.S.A. vs. Australia - 12:00p.m. (NBCSN) These two countries have met in the last three finals, the U.S. has looked dominant so far in the tournament.
Beach Volleyball Men's Final 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) - Alison & Emmanuel of Brazil against Brink and Reckermann of Germany. Emmanuel Rego won gold in Athens and bronze in Beijing. The Brazilians will be favored.
Boxing - Women's Boxing 75kg Final 12:15p.m. (CNBC @ 5:00p.m.) Claressa Shields, 17 years old, will try to win the first ever gold medal for a women's boxer. She takes on Nadezda Torlopova of Russia.
Men's 800 Meter Final - 3:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) David Rudisha of Kenya is the world record holder and world champion, one of the most dominant athletes in the sport. Nick Symmonds looks to battle a strong field for the lesser medals.
Women's Voilleyball semifinal - U.S.A. vs. South Korea - 12:00p.m. (NBC) The Americans already beat South Korea in this tournament. The number one team in the world is undefeated and looking to get to the finals and a chance for a first ever women's gold.
Silver: Soccer - Women's Final - 2:45p.m. (NBCSN) The Americans are trying to win their third straight gold medal in a rematch of last year's World Cup final which Japan won on penalty kicks. The U.S. needed late heroics from Alex Morgan to defeat Canada 3-2 in the semifinals.
Bronze: Track & Field - Men's Decathlon - 1500 Meter Run @ 4:20p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The title of the world's greatest athlete has been bestowed upon the decathlon champion. One hundred years after Jim Thorpe won the inaugural decathlon gold, world record holder Ashton Eaton takes a lead into the second day against double world champion Trey Hardee. They set up the Americans for a potential 1-2 finish, although Hardee will have to get past the javelin throw after Tommy John surgery to his elbow this past winter.
Also:
Women's Water Polo Final - U.S.A. vs. Spain - 3:00p.m. (NBC). Brenda Villa leads the United States, she is playing in her fourth Olympics and has three medals, she is now looking for a first gold.
Women's Basketball semifinal - U.S.A. vs. Australia - 12:00p.m. (NBCSN) These two countries have met in the last three finals, the U.S. has looked dominant so far in the tournament.
Beach Volleyball Men's Final 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) - Alison & Emmanuel of Brazil against Brink and Reckermann of Germany. Emmanuel Rego won gold in Athens and bronze in Beijing. The Brazilians will be favored.
Boxing - Women's Boxing 75kg Final 12:15p.m. (CNBC @ 5:00p.m.) Claressa Shields, 17 years old, will try to win the first ever gold medal for a women's boxer. She takes on Nadezda Torlopova of Russia.
Men's 800 Meter Final - 3:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) David Rudisha of Kenya is the world record holder and world champion, one of the most dominant athletes in the sport. Nick Symmonds looks to battle a strong field for the lesser medals.
Women's Voilleyball semifinal - U.S.A. vs. South Korea - 12:00p.m. (NBC) The Americans already beat South Korea in this tournament. The number one team in the world is undefeated and looking to get to the finals and a chance for a first ever women's gold.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
What to Watch - Wednesday 8/8
Gold: Track & Field - Women's 200 Meters - 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time). Only three athletes in Olympic history have captured silver in the same individual event in three consecutive Olympics: super heavyweight Greco-Roman Wrestler Aleksandar Tomov of Bulgaria from 1972-1980; springboard diver Tan Liangde of China from 1984-1992; and Chinese table tennis player Wang Hao from 2004-2012. Allyson Felix is hoping to keep her name off this list, and she looks primed to pick up her first individual gold. Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica has twice been the Olympic champion and finally beat Felix at the world championships last year in the 200. Expect the medals to be between those two and Americans Carmelita Jeter and Sanya Richards-Ross and Jamaica 100 meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. It would be a surprise if any runner other than an American or Jamaican finished in the top five.
Silver: Beach Volleyball - Women's Final - 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time). It is an all-American final as two time defending Olympic champions Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh Jennings face 2009 world champions April Ross and Jenn Kessy. Seeded third and fourth in the tournament, both squads pulled off impressive semifinal wins. Watch for Walsh Jennings to spike the second hit ("on two") when May-Traenor makes a perfect pass on serve receive.
Bronze: Track & Field - Men's 110 Meter Hurdles - 4:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) 2004 Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China crashed on the first hurdle in the heats and defending Olympic champion and world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba looks slowed from injuries. American Aries Merritt has grabbed the mantle of Olympic favorite with some very swift victories lately. Jason Richardson is the current world champion, but he was quite honestly the third best hurdler in that final as Robles was disqualified for impeding Liu in the final. The winner will probably need to run under 13 seconds to win and Robles's world record of 12.87 could be challenged in the conditions cooperate.
Also:
Men's Basketball reaches the quarterfinals, the U.S. will face Australia at 5:15p.m. (NBCSN)
The U.S. men's volleyball team surprised by sweeping through their pool, the face Italy in the quarterfinals at 11:00.a.m. (NBC)
U.S. men's water polo heads into the quarterfinals with a tall task; they face undefeated Croatia at 3:00p.m. (NBC)
Silver: Beach Volleyball - Women's Final - 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time). It is an all-American final as two time defending Olympic champions Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh Jennings face 2009 world champions April Ross and Jenn Kessy. Seeded third and fourth in the tournament, both squads pulled off impressive semifinal wins. Watch for Walsh Jennings to spike the second hit ("on two") when May-Traenor makes a perfect pass on serve receive.
Bronze: Track & Field - Men's 110 Meter Hurdles - 4:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) 2004 Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China crashed on the first hurdle in the heats and defending Olympic champion and world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba looks slowed from injuries. American Aries Merritt has grabbed the mantle of Olympic favorite with some very swift victories lately. Jason Richardson is the current world champion, but he was quite honestly the third best hurdler in that final as Robles was disqualified for impeding Liu in the final. The winner will probably need to run under 13 seconds to win and Robles's world record of 12.87 could be challenged in the conditions cooperate.
Also:
Men's Basketball reaches the quarterfinals, the U.S. will face Australia at 5:15p.m. (NBCSN)
The U.S. men's volleyball team surprised by sweeping through their pool, the face Italy in the quarterfinals at 11:00.a.m. (NBC)
U.S. men's water polo heads into the quarterfinals with a tall task; they face undefeated Croatia at 3:00p.m. (NBC)
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
What to Watch - Tuesday 8/7
Gold: Track & Field - Women's 100 Meter Hurdles - 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) - No doubt, a great deal of the focus will be on Lolo Jones, the American who was on her way to a gold medal in Beijing before hitting the ninth of ten hurdles with her lead leg and finishing out of the medals. However, Jones may be the third best American behind Kellie Wells and defending champion Dawn Harper, the two women who finished ahead of her at the Olympic Trials. The favorite is Australia's Sally Pearson, the Beijing silver medalist and 2011 world champion. Pearson lost only one race in 1988 and ran 12.28 last year, the fastest time in the world since 1992. With the fast track in London, it should take a time under 12.4 seconds to win, and if the conditions are ideal the world record of 12.21 set by Yordanka Donkova of Bulgaria in 1988 could be threatened.
Silver: Gymnastics - Women's Floor Exercise - 11:23a.m. (NBC Prime Time). The final day of artistic gymnastics begins at 9:00a.m. with event finals in parallel bars and high bar for men; and balance beam and floor exercise for women. Ally Raisman of the United States was the top qualifier for the floor and Jordyn Wieber will be in the final eight as well. The defending world champion is Ksenia Afanasyeva of Russia. NBC censored her floor exercise from the team event in order to hoodwink the television audience into thinking that the American team was in more jeopardy during the floor exercise than they actually were. Gabby Douglas and Raisman qualified for the balance beam final, where Viktoria Komova will be looking to win her first gold medal. World champion Danell Leyva failed to qualify for parallel bars final, which looks to be a battle between China and Japan. Leyva did qualify for the men's high bar final along with Beijing silver medalist Jonathan Horton. Epke Zonderland of the Netherlands and Zhang Chenglong of China were the top qualifiers. China's Zou Kai is the defending champion.
Bronze: Weight Lifting - Men's Super Heavyweight - 2:00p.m. (NBCSN @ 7:00p.m.) The title of world's strongest man should be a battle between two Iranians, Behdad Salimikordasiabi, IRI and Sajjad Anoushiravani Hamlaba, where weight lifting has become a national sport.
Also:
Women's team events head into the medal rounds:
U.S. women's basketball team takes on Canada in the quarterfinals at 2:00p.m.
Both U.S. women's beach volleyball teams are in the semifinals, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings take on Xue & Zhang of China at 1:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time), while April Ross and Jenn Kessy fave the top seeded Brazilian duo of Juliana & Larissa at 4:00p.m. (NBC)
Sir Chris Hoy looks to capture his sixth career gold medal in the Keirin event in cycling. The Keirin is a motor paced event with roots as a Japanese betting sport, leaving six cyclists in a mad sprint to the finish. 12:57p.m. (NBC @ 3:30p.m.)
The U.S. women's volleyball team takes on the Dominican Republic in a quarterfinal matchup at 2:00p.m. (NBC)
The U.S. women's water polo team faces Australia in the semifinals at 10:30a.m. (NBC)
Silver: Gymnastics - Women's Floor Exercise - 11:23a.m. (NBC Prime Time). The final day of artistic gymnastics begins at 9:00a.m. with event finals in parallel bars and high bar for men; and balance beam and floor exercise for women. Ally Raisman of the United States was the top qualifier for the floor and Jordyn Wieber will be in the final eight as well. The defending world champion is Ksenia Afanasyeva of Russia. NBC censored her floor exercise from the team event in order to hoodwink the television audience into thinking that the American team was in more jeopardy during the floor exercise than they actually were. Gabby Douglas and Raisman qualified for the balance beam final, where Viktoria Komova will be looking to win her first gold medal. World champion Danell Leyva failed to qualify for parallel bars final, which looks to be a battle between China and Japan. Leyva did qualify for the men's high bar final along with Beijing silver medalist Jonathan Horton. Epke Zonderland of the Netherlands and Zhang Chenglong of China were the top qualifiers. China's Zou Kai is the defending champion.
Bronze: Weight Lifting - Men's Super Heavyweight - 2:00p.m. (NBCSN @ 7:00p.m.) The title of world's strongest man should be a battle between two Iranians, Behdad Salimikordasiabi, IRI and Sajjad Anoushiravani Hamlaba, where weight lifting has become a national sport.
Also:
Women's team events head into the medal rounds:
U.S. women's basketball team takes on Canada in the quarterfinals at 2:00p.m.
Both U.S. women's beach volleyball teams are in the semifinals, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings take on Xue & Zhang of China at 1:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time), while April Ross and Jenn Kessy fave the top seeded Brazilian duo of Juliana & Larissa at 4:00p.m. (NBC)
Sir Chris Hoy looks to capture his sixth career gold medal in the Keirin event in cycling. The Keirin is a motor paced event with roots as a Japanese betting sport, leaving six cyclists in a mad sprint to the finish. 12:57p.m. (NBC @ 3:30p.m.)
The U.S. women's volleyball team takes on the Dominican Republic in a quarterfinal matchup at 2:00p.m. (NBC)
The U.S. women's water polo team faces Australia in the semifinals at 10:30a.m. (NBC)
Sunday, August 5, 2012
What to Watch - Monday 8/6
After an amazing weekend, things calm down a bit on Monday as the second week of the Games gets underway, still a full slate of action in many sports:
Gold: Gymnastics - Women's Uneven Bars - 9:50a.m. (NBC Prime Time). U.S. all-around champion Gabby Douglas leads the charge into this event final as she tries to become the first U.S. gymnast to win three gold medals. Defending champion He Kexin on China and all-around runner-up Viktoria Komova are major threats, but the top qualifier was Brit Elizabeth Tweddle, the world champion in 2006 and 2010.
Silver: Soccer - Women's Semifinal - United States v Canada 2:45p.m. (NBCSN) The U.S. women's team looks to get into the final where they will face either France or World Cup champions Japan.
Bronze: Track & Field - Men's 400 Meter Hurdles - 3:45p.m. (NBC Prime Time). A very strong field in the finals is led by Javier Culson, trying to become Puerto Rico's first ever Olympic champion. He is undefeated in 2012. Felix Sanchez looked like he had discovered the fountain of youth in the semifinals with the fastest time. Sanchez is the 2004 Olympic champ as well as world champ in 2001 and 2003. Angelo Taylor of the United States won the gold medal in 2000 and 2008. Kerron Clement was the world champion in 2007 and 2009 and looks to be rounding into form after two subpar seasons. The defending world champion is Dai Greene of Great Britain, who barely got a spot in the final as a time qualifier, but things have been going well for the Brits at Olympic Stadium.
Also: Men's Basketball against Argentina at 5:15p.m. (NBCSN)
The surviving American men's team of Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal take on a Latvian team in the quarterfinals at 2:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
The stud event in cycling is the men's match sprint. Jason Kenny of Great Britain and Gregory Bauge of France could meet up in an outstanding final, 12:43p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
Gold: Gymnastics - Women's Uneven Bars - 9:50a.m. (NBC Prime Time). U.S. all-around champion Gabby Douglas leads the charge into this event final as she tries to become the first U.S. gymnast to win three gold medals. Defending champion He Kexin on China and all-around runner-up Viktoria Komova are major threats, but the top qualifier was Brit Elizabeth Tweddle, the world champion in 2006 and 2010.
Silver: Soccer - Women's Semifinal - United States v Canada 2:45p.m. (NBCSN) The U.S. women's team looks to get into the final where they will face either France or World Cup champions Japan.
Bronze: Track & Field - Men's 400 Meter Hurdles - 3:45p.m. (NBC Prime Time). A very strong field in the finals is led by Javier Culson, trying to become Puerto Rico's first ever Olympic champion. He is undefeated in 2012. Felix Sanchez looked like he had discovered the fountain of youth in the semifinals with the fastest time. Sanchez is the 2004 Olympic champ as well as world champ in 2001 and 2003. Angelo Taylor of the United States won the gold medal in 2000 and 2008. Kerron Clement was the world champion in 2007 and 2009 and looks to be rounding into form after two subpar seasons. The defending world champion is Dai Greene of Great Britain, who barely got a spot in the final as a time qualifier, but things have been going well for the Brits at Olympic Stadium.
Also: Men's Basketball against Argentina at 5:15p.m. (NBCSN)
The surviving American men's team of Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal take on a Latvian team in the quarterfinals at 2:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
The stud event in cycling is the men's match sprint. Jason Kenny of Great Britain and Gregory Bauge of France could meet up in an outstanding final, 12:43p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
What to Watch - Sunday 8/5
Gold: Tennis - Men's Singles Final - 9:00a.m. (NBC) It really takes something to top the men's 100 featuring one the best known athletes in the world, but this final has the making on an epic. Five weeks ago, Roger Federer captured his seventh Wimbledon championship over British hero Andy Murray. The hometown crowd was apoplectic with Murray's semifinal win and they will be rooting hard for him in the final. Murray has had a busy weekend, winning two matches in mixed doubles on Saturday with Laura Robson and they will play the mixed doubles final after the men's final, against Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirinyi of Belarus. Federer is trying to complete the Golden Slam, and join Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams as the only players to do so.
Silver: Track & Field - Men's 100 Meters - 4:50p.m. (NBC Prime Time). On what has proven to be a fast track in London, a great field will assemble to assault the world record and claim the title of world's fastest man. Defending champion and world record holder Usain Bolt looks to join Carl Lewis as the only two-time winner of the event. Bolt was disqualified after a false start at last year's world championships, leaving countryman Yohan Blake to capture the title. Blake defeated Bolt at the Jamaican trials in both the 100 and 200 and is considered the favorite. Three former world record holders will challenge for the podium: Asafa Powell of Jamaica and Americans Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion.
Bronze: Boxing - Women's 60kg opening round - 9:30a.m. (CNBC) For the first time in Olympic history, women will step into the ring. Queen Underwood will be first first American in action as the faces Natasha Jonas of Great Britain.
Also:
The U.S. women's basketball team faces China at 11:45a.m. (NBC)
Track & Field - Women's 400 Meters - 4:10p.m. (NBC Prime Time). Sanya Richards-Ross has been the world's best 400 meter runner for the better part of a decade, but she has never won individual Olympic gold. She will be challenged by world champion Amantle Montsho, attempting to win the first Olympic medal for Botswana, and defending champion Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain. Ohuruogu finishes very fast and the British athletes have had great success so far.
Beach Volleyball - The two American women's teams are in quarterfinal action. Two-time defending champions Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh Jennings take on Italy @ 2:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time); 2009 world champions April Ross and Jenn Kessy face the Czech Republic @ 5:00p.m. (NBC)
The first individual diving event, the women's 3 meter springboard, is in the pool at 2:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The Chineses look to make it five for five with Wu Mingxi and He Zi, the Americans Christina Loukas and Cassidy Krug are medal threats as is five-time Olympian Tania Cognotto of Italy, looking for her first medal.
Gymnastics returns with three individual apparatus finals, McKayla Maroney of the U.S. is a big favorite to capture the vault title, the only women's event tonight. 9:50a.m. (NBC Prime Time)
The U.S. women's volleyball team looks to remain undefeated against Turkey at 3:00p.m. (NBC)
The U.S. women's water polo team enters the quarterfinals against Italy at 2:00p.m. (NBC)
Holly Mangold, sister of New York Jet Nick is entered in the super heavyweight class of women's weightlifting, she will probably finish outside the top five as Zhou Lulu of China enteres as the favorite for the title of world's strongest woman. 10:30a.m. (NBCSN)
Silver: Track & Field - Men's 100 Meters - 4:50p.m. (NBC Prime Time). On what has proven to be a fast track in London, a great field will assemble to assault the world record and claim the title of world's fastest man. Defending champion and world record holder Usain Bolt looks to join Carl Lewis as the only two-time winner of the event. Bolt was disqualified after a false start at last year's world championships, leaving countryman Yohan Blake to capture the title. Blake defeated Bolt at the Jamaican trials in both the 100 and 200 and is considered the favorite. Three former world record holders will challenge for the podium: Asafa Powell of Jamaica and Americans Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion.
Bronze: Boxing - Women's 60kg opening round - 9:30a.m. (CNBC) For the first time in Olympic history, women will step into the ring. Queen Underwood will be first first American in action as the faces Natasha Jonas of Great Britain.
Also:
The U.S. women's basketball team faces China at 11:45a.m. (NBC)
Track & Field - Women's 400 Meters - 4:10p.m. (NBC Prime Time). Sanya Richards-Ross has been the world's best 400 meter runner for the better part of a decade, but she has never won individual Olympic gold. She will be challenged by world champion Amantle Montsho, attempting to win the first Olympic medal for Botswana, and defending champion Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain. Ohuruogu finishes very fast and the British athletes have had great success so far.
Beach Volleyball - The two American women's teams are in quarterfinal action. Two-time defending champions Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh Jennings take on Italy @ 2:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time); 2009 world champions April Ross and Jenn Kessy face the Czech Republic @ 5:00p.m. (NBC)
The first individual diving event, the women's 3 meter springboard, is in the pool at 2:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The Chineses look to make it five for five with Wu Mingxi and He Zi, the Americans Christina Loukas and Cassidy Krug are medal threats as is five-time Olympian Tania Cognotto of Italy, looking for her first medal.
Gymnastics returns with three individual apparatus finals, McKayla Maroney of the U.S. is a big favorite to capture the vault title, the only women's event tonight. 9:50a.m. (NBC Prime Time)
The U.S. women's volleyball team looks to remain undefeated against Turkey at 3:00p.m. (NBC)
The U.S. women's water polo team enters the quarterfinals against Italy at 2:00p.m. (NBC)
Holly Mangold, sister of New York Jet Nick is entered in the super heavyweight class of women's weightlifting, she will probably finish outside the top five as Zhou Lulu of China enteres as the favorite for the title of world's strongest woman. 10:30a.m. (NBCSN)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
What to Watch - Saturday 8/4
Gold: Swimming - Men's 4x100 Meter Medley Relay - 3:27p.m. (NBC Prime Time). After four Olympic Games, 21 medals including 17 gold, Michael Phelps swims for the very last time. He will swim the butterfly leg on the highly favored American medley relay. Three of the four legs are swum by gold medalists, the other by a bronze medalist. Expect a big U.S. win. The final day of swimming actually begins at 2:30p.m. with the Women's 50 Freestyle and the Men's 1500 Freestyle. The women swim their medley relay at 3:07p.m. and they will be highly favored with gold medalists Missy Franklin in backstroke and Dana Vollmer in butterfly and silver medalist Rebecca Soni in the breaststroke. The freestyle leg could be either Jessica Hardy or Allison Schmidt. Either way expect the U.S. to win easily with Australia being the leading challengers.
Silver: Tennis - Women's Singles Final - 9:00a.m. (NBC) A marquee matchup as Serena Williams of the United States will face Russian Maria Sharapova. The winner will join Rafael Nadal, Steffi Graf and Andrei Agassi with a career Golden Slam. The match takes place in one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, at Wimbledon Centre Court.
Bronze: Track & Field - Women's 100 Meters - 4:55p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The world's fastest woman will be crowned and it will likely be an American or Jamaican. Defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was the first non-American winner since 1980; current world champion Carmelita Jeter of the U.S. looked most impressive in the heats; Allyson Felix is better at 200 meters but improving over 100; Tianna Madison was a world long jump champion seven years ago, but has concentrated on sprinting; Veronica Campbell-Brown is the two-time defending champion over 200 meters and a former 100 meter world champion.
Also:
U.S. men's basketball faces Lithuania at 9:30a.m. (NBCSN)
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings are in the round of sixteen against the Dutch at 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal are the lone American hopes in men's beach volleyball. They are in the round of 16 against Russia at 5:00p.m. (NBC)
The U.S. women's field hockey team face a must-win against New Zealand as only two teams will advance out of pool play. Game time is 2:00p.m. (NBCSN)
The home team British soccer side faces South Korea in the quarterfinals at 2:30p.m. (MSNBC)
Another tennis gold medal will be on the line in men's doubles as Mike & Bob Bryan are trying to win the first American gold in the event since Ken Flach and Robert Seguso in 1988. They will face the French team of Michaël Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at 11:00a.m. (NBCSN)
The U.S. men's volleyball takes on 2-1 Russia at 11:45a.m. (NBC)
The U.S. men's water polo team is surprisingly undefeated after three matches. They face a very tough test against 2-1 Serbia at 2:40p.m. (NBC)
Silver: Tennis - Women's Singles Final - 9:00a.m. (NBC) A marquee matchup as Serena Williams of the United States will face Russian Maria Sharapova. The winner will join Rafael Nadal, Steffi Graf and Andrei Agassi with a career Golden Slam. The match takes place in one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, at Wimbledon Centre Court.
Bronze: Track & Field - Women's 100 Meters - 4:55p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The world's fastest woman will be crowned and it will likely be an American or Jamaican. Defending champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was the first non-American winner since 1980; current world champion Carmelita Jeter of the U.S. looked most impressive in the heats; Allyson Felix is better at 200 meters but improving over 100; Tianna Madison was a world long jump champion seven years ago, but has concentrated on sprinting; Veronica Campbell-Brown is the two-time defending champion over 200 meters and a former 100 meter world champion.
Also:
U.S. men's basketball faces Lithuania at 9:30a.m. (NBCSN)
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings are in the round of sixteen against the Dutch at 4:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal are the lone American hopes in men's beach volleyball. They are in the round of 16 against Russia at 5:00p.m. (NBC)
The U.S. women's field hockey team face a must-win against New Zealand as only two teams will advance out of pool play. Game time is 2:00p.m. (NBCSN)
The home team British soccer side faces South Korea in the quarterfinals at 2:30p.m. (MSNBC)
Another tennis gold medal will be on the line in men's doubles as Mike & Bob Bryan are trying to win the first American gold in the event since Ken Flach and Robert Seguso in 1988. They will face the French team of Michaël Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at 11:00a.m. (NBCSN)
The U.S. men's volleyball takes on 2-1 Russia at 11:45a.m. (NBC)
The U.S. men's water polo team is surprisingly undefeated after three matches. They face a very tough test against 2-1 Serbia at 2:40p.m. (NBC)
Friday, August 3, 2012
What to Watch on Friday - 8/3
Gold: Track & Field - Men's Shot Put - 3:30p.m. (NBC Prime Time) Track and Field opens and the U.S. has an early chance for gold. Reese Hoffa leads a strong American team, with Ryan Whiting and Christian Cantwell. The Americans have been favored for each of the last four Olympics, but haven't won gold since Randy Barnes in 1996. Canadian Duncan Armstrong is the current world champion.
Silver: Swimming - Women's 800 Meter Freestyle - 2:45p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The penultimate swimming session will also include Michael Phelps in the 100 meter butterfly and Missy Franklin in the 200 meter backstroke, but Rebecca Adlington will be the focus of most in the venue as she tries to win Britain's first swimming gold in London. Adlington qualified first and is trying to rebound from bronze in the 400 freestyle which she was favored to win.
Bronze: Judo - Men's 100+kg - 11:10a.m. (Live Feed) France's Teddy Riner took a bronze in Beijing, but he has dominated the sport, winning every world championship gold medal since 2007. The other thing that is notable about Riner is his size, 6'8" and 250 pounds.
Also:
Women's Soccer in the quarterfinals against New Zealand 9:30a.m. (NBCSN)
Women's basketball against the Czech Republic at 5:15p.m. (NBCSN)
Women's volleybal tries to stay undefeated against Serbia at 3:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
The women's water polo team concludes pool play against China at 2:40p.m. (NBC)
Victoria Pendleton of Great Britain tries to rebound from Thursday's team spring disqualification in track cycling's most exciting event, the Kierin, makes its Olympic debut for the women at 1:38p.m. (NBC)
The first track final is the women's 10000 meters. Vivian Cheruiyot led a Kenyan medal sweep at the world championships last year, but defending Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia will be a major factor. NBC live at 4:25p.m.
Jessica Ennis of Great Britain is the favorite in the women's heptathlon which will be contested throughout Friday and Saturday. Friday's events are the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meters. (NBC)
Silver: Swimming - Women's 800 Meter Freestyle - 2:45p.m. (NBC Prime Time) The penultimate swimming session will also include Michael Phelps in the 100 meter butterfly and Missy Franklin in the 200 meter backstroke, but Rebecca Adlington will be the focus of most in the venue as she tries to win Britain's first swimming gold in London. Adlington qualified first and is trying to rebound from bronze in the 400 freestyle which she was favored to win.
Bronze: Judo - Men's 100+kg - 11:10a.m. (Live Feed) France's Teddy Riner took a bronze in Beijing, but he has dominated the sport, winning every world championship gold medal since 2007. The other thing that is notable about Riner is his size, 6'8" and 250 pounds.
Also:
Women's Soccer in the quarterfinals against New Zealand 9:30a.m. (NBCSN)
Women's basketball against the Czech Republic at 5:15p.m. (NBCSN)
Women's volleybal tries to stay undefeated against Serbia at 3:00p.m. (NBC Prime Time)
The women's water polo team concludes pool play against China at 2:40p.m. (NBC)
Victoria Pendleton of Great Britain tries to rebound from Thursday's team spring disqualification in track cycling's most exciting event, the Kierin, makes its Olympic debut for the women at 1:38p.m. (NBC)
The first track final is the women's 10000 meters. Vivian Cheruiyot led a Kenyan medal sweep at the world championships last year, but defending Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia will be a major factor. NBC live at 4:25p.m.
Jessica Ennis of Great Britain is the favorite in the women's heptathlon which will be contested throughout Friday and Saturday. Friday's events are the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meters. (NBC)
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Predictions - Track & Field
Men's 100 Meters
Gold: Yohan Blake, JAM
Silver: Tyson Gay, USA
Bronze: Usain Bolt, JAM
Lightning may not strike twice, Bolt may still have a mental block about his false start last year.
Men's 200 Meters
Gold: Usain Bolt, JAM
Silver: Yohan, Blake, JAM
Bronze: Wallace Spearmon, USA
Men's 400 Meters
Gold: Kirani James, GRN
Silver: LaShawn Merritt, USA
Bronze: Kevin Borlee, BEL
Grenada has never won an Olympic medal, Merritt may be injured, Borlee will battle his twin brother Jonathan.
Men's 800 Meters
Gold: David Rudisha, KEN
Silver: Abubaker Kaki, SUD
Bronze: Nick Symmonds, USA
Rudisha should dominate; strange things seem to happen to Kaki at major meets.
Men's 1500 Meters
Gold: Asbel Kiprop, KEN
Silver: Nixon Chepseba, KEN
Bronze: Silas Kipligat, KEN
Expect team tactics from the Kenyans, Kirpop looks to joing Seb Coe as the only repeat winner.
Men's 5000 Meters
Gold: Mo Farah, GBR
Silver: Bernard Lagat, USA
Bronze: Dejan Gebremeskel, ETH
Does the 37 year old Lagat have the kick to win and beat the hometown favorite?
Men's 10000 Meters
Gold: Mo Farah, GBR
Silver: Kenenisa Bekele, ETH
Bronze: Galen Rupp, USA
Farah could supplant a legend; no American has won a medal since Billy Mills in 1964.
Men's Marathon
Gold: Wilson Kipsang, KEN
Silver: Abel Kirui, KEN
Bronze: Emmanuel Mutai, KEN
No country has ever swept the medals.
Men's 110 Hurdles
Gold: Aries Merritt, USA
Silver: Liu Xiang, CHN
Bronze: Dayron Robles, CUB
Merritt has been consistently running under 13 seconds, Liu is nursing a back injury. Jason Richardson of the U.S. is the world champion, he will be in the final and should contend.
Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
Gold: Javier Culson, PUR
Silver: Dai Greene, GBR
Bronze: Angelo Taylor, USA
Puerto Rico has never won a gold medal.
Men's 3000 Meter Steeplechase
Gold: Ezekiel Kemboi, KEN
Silver: Brimin Kipruto, KEN
Bronze: Abel Mutai, KEN
Kenyans have won every Olympics they have attended since 1968.
Men's 4x100 Meter Relay
Gold: Jamaica
Silver: United States
Bronze: Trinidad & Tobago
The Jamaicans could break their own world record. The U.S. has a recent history of passing mishaps.
Men's 4x400 Meter Relay
Gold: United States
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Belgium
Should be another easy win for the U.S. Silver and bronze are wide open.
Men's 20 Kilometer Walk
Gold: Valeriy Borchin, RUS
Silver: Zhen Wang, CHN
Bronze: Andrey Krivov, RUS
Men's 50 Kilometer Walk
Gold: Yohann Diniz, FRA
Silver: Alex Schwarzer, ITA
Bronze: Jared Tallent, AUS
Men's Long Jump
Gold: Mitchell Watt, AUS
Silver: Greg Rutherford, GBR
Bronze: Chris Tomlinson, GBR
Athens gold medalist and four-time world champion Dwight Phillips was injured and unable to compete at the U.S. Trials.
Men's High Jump
Gold: Jesse Williams, USA
Silver: Andrey Silnov, RUS
Bronze: Robbie Grabarcz, GBR
Woerld champion Williams finished fourth at Olympic Trials, but only two of the top three had an Olympic qualifier.
Men's Triple Jump
Gold: Christian Taylor, USA
Silver: Will Claye, USA
Bronze: Daniele Greco, ITA
The two young Americans have had a meteoric rise over the last year. Britain's Philips Idowu has been reportedly injured and very close-lipped about it.
Men's Pole Vault
Gold: Renaud Lavillenie, FRA
Silver: Bjorn Otto, GER
Bronze: Brad Walker, USA
Walker did not clear a height in Beijing.
Men's Shot Put
Gold: Reese Hoffa, USA
Silver: Dylan Armstrong, CAN
Bronze: Ryan Whiting, USA
The Americans are always favored to win, haven't captured gold since Randy Barnes in 1996, but have taken every silver since Michael Carter in 1984.
Men's Discus Throw
Gold: Robert Harting, GER
Silver: Virgilijus Alekna, LTU
Bronze: Ehsan Hadidi, IRI
Gold in Sydney and Athens, bronze in Beijing, Alekna is looking for a fourth straight medal.
Men's Javelin Throw
Gold: Vltezslav Vesely, CZE
Silver: Andreas Thorkildsen, NOR
Bronze: Oleksandr Pyatnytsya, UKR
Defending champion Thorkildsen is somewhat off his usual form this season.
Men's Hammer Throw
Gold: Krisztian Pars, HUN
Silver: Ivan Tikhon, BLR
Bronze: Pawel Fajdek, POL
Silver and bronze in the last two Olympics, three-time world champion Tikhon looks to complete the medal set.
Decathlon
Gold: Ashton Eaton, USA
Silver: Trey Hardee, USA
Bronze: Leonel Suarez, CUB
Eaton set the world record at the Olympic Trials on his hometown track.
Women's 100 Meters
Gold: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, JAM
Silver: Carmelita Jeter, USA
Bronze: Tianna Madison, USA
Fraser-Pryce could join Wyomia Tyus and Gail Devers as the only repeat winners.
Women's 200 Meters
Gold: Allyson Felix, USA
Silver: Veronica Campbell-Brown, JAM
Bronze: Carmelita Jeter, USA
Campbell-Brown won gold and Felix silver in 2004 and 2008.
Women's 400 Meters
Gold: Sanya Richards-Ross, USA
Silver: Amantle Montsho, BOT
Bronze: Antonina Krivoshapka, RUS
Botswana has never won an Olympic medal.
Women's 800 Meters
Gold: Pamela Jelimo, KEN
Silver: Caster Semenya, RSA
Bronze: Alysia Montano, USA
Expect all the medal contenders to push the pace.
Women's 1500 Meters
Gold: Morgan Uceny, USA
Silver: Abeba Aregawi, ETH
Bronze: Asli Cakir, TUR
Cakir served a two-year doping ban from 2004-2006 and has recently shown her best form.
Women's 5000 Meters
Gold: Vivian Cheruiyot, KEN
Silver: Meseret Defar, ETH
Bronze: Sally Kipyego, KEN
Cheruiyot won both the 5000 and 10000 meters at lasyt year's world championships and she was the Track & Field News athlete of the year.
Women's 10000 Meters
Gold: Tirunesh Dibaba, ETH
Silver: Vivian Cheruiyot, KEN
Bronze: Sally Kipyego, KEN
Dibaba is the Olympic champ, Cheruiyot the world champ.
Women's Marathon
Gold: Mary Keitany, KEN
Silver: Edna Kiplagat, KEN
Bronze: Shalene Flanagan, USA
World record holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain withdrew with a foot injury.
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles
Gold: Sally Pearson, AUS
Silver: Dawn Harper, USA
Bronze: Kellie Wells, USA
Sentimental favorite Lolo Jones has a tall task ahead of her, third at the trials she has two teammates and the world champion Pearson to beat.
Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
Gold: Lashinda Demus, USA
Silver: Melaine Walker, USA
Bronze: Perri Shakes-Drayton, GBR
World champion Demus missed Beijing after having a child.
Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase
Gold: Yuliya Zaripova, RUS
Silver: Milcah Chemos, KEN
Bronze: Habiba Boudraa, TUN
Zaripova easily won the world championships.
Women's 4x100 Meter Relay
Gold: United States
Silver: Jamaica
Bronze: Trinidad & Tobago
This will highlight the U.S./Jamaica rivalry.
Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
Gold: United States
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Jamaica
Expect the U.S. to have a fairly easy time as usual.
Women's 20 Kilometer Walk
Gold: Olga Kaniskina, RUS
Silver: Yelena Lashmanova, RUS
Bronze: Hong Liu, CHN
Women's Long Jump
Gold: Brittney Reese, USA
Silver: Nastassia Ivanova, RUS
Bronze: Shara Proctor, GBR
Reese has won every world championship, indoors and out, since Beijing.
Women's High Jump
Gold: Anna Chicherova, RUS
Silver: Chaunte Lowe, USA
Bronze: Svetlana Shkolina, RUS
Three time world champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia is out due to injury.
Women's Triple Jump
Gold: Olha Saladuha, UKR
Silver: Olga Rypakova, KAZ
Bronze: Caterina Ibarguen, COL
Women's Pole Vault
Gold: Yelena Isinbaeva, RUS
Silver: Jenn Suhr, USA
Bronze: Holly Bleasdale, GBR
Isinbaeva and Suhr finished 1-2 in Beijing.
Women's Shot Put
Gold: Valerie Adams, NZL
Silver: Nadzeya Ostapchuk, BLR
Bronze: Jill Camarena-Williams, USA
Adams has won every major title since 2007. U.S. has not won a medal since 1964.
Women's Discus Throw
Gold: Sandra Perkovic, CRO
Silver: Nadine Muller, GER
Bronze: Darya Pishchalnikova, RUS
Defending champion Stephanie Brown-Trafton has shown her best form since 2008.
Women's Javelin Throw
Gold: Barbara Spotakova, CZE
Silver: Sunette Viljoen, RSA
Bronze: Mariya Abakhumova, RUS
Defending champion Spotakova is very consistent.
Women's Hammer Throw
Gold: Aksana Menkova, BLR
Silver: Betty Heidler, GER
Bronze: Tatyana Lysenko, RUS
Heptathlon
Gold: Jessica Ennis, GBR
Silver: Tatyana Chernova, RUS
Bronze: Kristina Savitskaya, RUS
Ennis's bid for the world championships came undone in the javelin.
Gold: Yohan Blake, JAM
Silver: Tyson Gay, USA
Bronze: Usain Bolt, JAM
Lightning may not strike twice, Bolt may still have a mental block about his false start last year.
Men's 200 Meters
Gold: Usain Bolt, JAM
Silver: Yohan, Blake, JAM
Bronze: Wallace Spearmon, USA
Men's 400 Meters
Gold: Kirani James, GRN
Silver: LaShawn Merritt, USA
Bronze: Kevin Borlee, BEL
Grenada has never won an Olympic medal, Merritt may be injured, Borlee will battle his twin brother Jonathan.
Men's 800 Meters
Gold: David Rudisha, KEN
Silver: Abubaker Kaki, SUD
Bronze: Nick Symmonds, USA
Rudisha should dominate; strange things seem to happen to Kaki at major meets.
Men's 1500 Meters
Gold: Asbel Kiprop, KEN
Silver: Nixon Chepseba, KEN
Bronze: Silas Kipligat, KEN
Expect team tactics from the Kenyans, Kirpop looks to joing Seb Coe as the only repeat winner.
Men's 5000 Meters
Gold: Mo Farah, GBR
Silver: Bernard Lagat, USA
Bronze: Dejan Gebremeskel, ETH
Does the 37 year old Lagat have the kick to win and beat the hometown favorite?
Men's 10000 Meters
Gold: Mo Farah, GBR
Silver: Kenenisa Bekele, ETH
Bronze: Galen Rupp, USA
Farah could supplant a legend; no American has won a medal since Billy Mills in 1964.
Men's Marathon
Gold: Wilson Kipsang, KEN
Silver: Abel Kirui, KEN
Bronze: Emmanuel Mutai, KEN
No country has ever swept the medals.
Men's 110 Hurdles
Gold: Aries Merritt, USA
Silver: Liu Xiang, CHN
Bronze: Dayron Robles, CUB
Merritt has been consistently running under 13 seconds, Liu is nursing a back injury. Jason Richardson of the U.S. is the world champion, he will be in the final and should contend.
Men's 400 Meter Hurdles
Gold: Javier Culson, PUR
Silver: Dai Greene, GBR
Bronze: Angelo Taylor, USA
Puerto Rico has never won a gold medal.
Men's 3000 Meter Steeplechase
Gold: Ezekiel Kemboi, KEN
Silver: Brimin Kipruto, KEN
Bronze: Abel Mutai, KEN
Kenyans have won every Olympics they have attended since 1968.
Men's 4x100 Meter Relay
Gold: Jamaica
Silver: United States
Bronze: Trinidad & Tobago
The Jamaicans could break their own world record. The U.S. has a recent history of passing mishaps.
Men's 4x400 Meter Relay
Gold: United States
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Belgium
Should be another easy win for the U.S. Silver and bronze are wide open.
Men's 20 Kilometer Walk
Gold: Valeriy Borchin, RUS
Silver: Zhen Wang, CHN
Bronze: Andrey Krivov, RUS
Men's 50 Kilometer Walk
Gold: Yohann Diniz, FRA
Silver: Alex Schwarzer, ITA
Bronze: Jared Tallent, AUS
Men's Long Jump
Gold: Mitchell Watt, AUS
Silver: Greg Rutherford, GBR
Bronze: Chris Tomlinson, GBR
Athens gold medalist and four-time world champion Dwight Phillips was injured and unable to compete at the U.S. Trials.
Men's High Jump
Gold: Jesse Williams, USA
Silver: Andrey Silnov, RUS
Bronze: Robbie Grabarcz, GBR
Woerld champion Williams finished fourth at Olympic Trials, but only two of the top three had an Olympic qualifier.
Men's Triple Jump
Gold: Christian Taylor, USA
Silver: Will Claye, USA
Bronze: Daniele Greco, ITA
The two young Americans have had a meteoric rise over the last year. Britain's Philips Idowu has been reportedly injured and very close-lipped about it.
Men's Pole Vault
Gold: Renaud Lavillenie, FRA
Silver: Bjorn Otto, GER
Bronze: Brad Walker, USA
Walker did not clear a height in Beijing.
Men's Shot Put
Gold: Reese Hoffa, USA
Silver: Dylan Armstrong, CAN
Bronze: Ryan Whiting, USA
The Americans are always favored to win, haven't captured gold since Randy Barnes in 1996, but have taken every silver since Michael Carter in 1984.
Men's Discus Throw
Gold: Robert Harting, GER
Silver: Virgilijus Alekna, LTU
Bronze: Ehsan Hadidi, IRI
Gold in Sydney and Athens, bronze in Beijing, Alekna is looking for a fourth straight medal.
Men's Javelin Throw
Gold: Vltezslav Vesely, CZE
Silver: Andreas Thorkildsen, NOR
Bronze: Oleksandr Pyatnytsya, UKR
Defending champion Thorkildsen is somewhat off his usual form this season.
Men's Hammer Throw
Gold: Krisztian Pars, HUN
Silver: Ivan Tikhon, BLR
Bronze: Pawel Fajdek, POL
Silver and bronze in the last two Olympics, three-time world champion Tikhon looks to complete the medal set.
Decathlon
Gold: Ashton Eaton, USA
Silver: Trey Hardee, USA
Bronze: Leonel Suarez, CUB
Eaton set the world record at the Olympic Trials on his hometown track.
Women's 100 Meters
Gold: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, JAM
Silver: Carmelita Jeter, USA
Bronze: Tianna Madison, USA
Fraser-Pryce could join Wyomia Tyus and Gail Devers as the only repeat winners.
Women's 200 Meters
Gold: Allyson Felix, USA
Silver: Veronica Campbell-Brown, JAM
Bronze: Carmelita Jeter, USA
Campbell-Brown won gold and Felix silver in 2004 and 2008.
Women's 400 Meters
Gold: Sanya Richards-Ross, USA
Silver: Amantle Montsho, BOT
Bronze: Antonina Krivoshapka, RUS
Botswana has never won an Olympic medal.
Women's 800 Meters
Gold: Pamela Jelimo, KEN
Silver: Caster Semenya, RSA
Bronze: Alysia Montano, USA
Expect all the medal contenders to push the pace.
Women's 1500 Meters
Gold: Morgan Uceny, USA
Silver: Abeba Aregawi, ETH
Bronze: Asli Cakir, TUR
Cakir served a two-year doping ban from 2004-2006 and has recently shown her best form.
Women's 5000 Meters
Gold: Vivian Cheruiyot, KEN
Silver: Meseret Defar, ETH
Bronze: Sally Kipyego, KEN
Cheruiyot won both the 5000 and 10000 meters at lasyt year's world championships and she was the Track & Field News athlete of the year.
Women's 10000 Meters
Gold: Tirunesh Dibaba, ETH
Silver: Vivian Cheruiyot, KEN
Bronze: Sally Kipyego, KEN
Dibaba is the Olympic champ, Cheruiyot the world champ.
Women's Marathon
Gold: Mary Keitany, KEN
Silver: Edna Kiplagat, KEN
Bronze: Shalene Flanagan, USA
World record holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain withdrew with a foot injury.
Women's 100 Meter Hurdles
Gold: Sally Pearson, AUS
Silver: Dawn Harper, USA
Bronze: Kellie Wells, USA
Sentimental favorite Lolo Jones has a tall task ahead of her, third at the trials she has two teammates and the world champion Pearson to beat.
Women's 400 Meter Hurdles
Gold: Lashinda Demus, USA
Silver: Melaine Walker, USA
Bronze: Perri Shakes-Drayton, GBR
World champion Demus missed Beijing after having a child.
Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase
Gold: Yuliya Zaripova, RUS
Silver: Milcah Chemos, KEN
Bronze: Habiba Boudraa, TUN
Zaripova easily won the world championships.
Women's 4x100 Meter Relay
Gold: United States
Silver: Jamaica
Bronze: Trinidad & Tobago
This will highlight the U.S./Jamaica rivalry.
Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
Gold: United States
Silver: Russia
Bronze: Jamaica
Expect the U.S. to have a fairly easy time as usual.
Women's 20 Kilometer Walk
Gold: Olga Kaniskina, RUS
Silver: Yelena Lashmanova, RUS
Bronze: Hong Liu, CHN
Women's Long Jump
Gold: Brittney Reese, USA
Silver: Nastassia Ivanova, RUS
Bronze: Shara Proctor, GBR
Reese has won every world championship, indoors and out, since Beijing.
Women's High Jump
Gold: Anna Chicherova, RUS
Silver: Chaunte Lowe, USA
Bronze: Svetlana Shkolina, RUS
Three time world champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia is out due to injury.
Women's Triple Jump
Gold: Olha Saladuha, UKR
Silver: Olga Rypakova, KAZ
Bronze: Caterina Ibarguen, COL
Women's Pole Vault
Gold: Yelena Isinbaeva, RUS
Silver: Jenn Suhr, USA
Bronze: Holly Bleasdale, GBR
Isinbaeva and Suhr finished 1-2 in Beijing.
Women's Shot Put
Gold: Valerie Adams, NZL
Silver: Nadzeya Ostapchuk, BLR
Bronze: Jill Camarena-Williams, USA
Adams has won every major title since 2007. U.S. has not won a medal since 1964.
Women's Discus Throw
Gold: Sandra Perkovic, CRO
Silver: Nadine Muller, GER
Bronze: Darya Pishchalnikova, RUS
Defending champion Stephanie Brown-Trafton has shown her best form since 2008.
Women's Javelin Throw
Gold: Barbara Spotakova, CZE
Silver: Sunette Viljoen, RSA
Bronze: Mariya Abakhumova, RUS
Defending champion Spotakova is very consistent.
Women's Hammer Throw
Gold: Aksana Menkova, BLR
Silver: Betty Heidler, GER
Bronze: Tatyana Lysenko, RUS
Heptathlon
Gold: Jessica Ennis, GBR
Silver: Tatyana Chernova, RUS
Bronze: Kristina Savitskaya, RUS
Ennis's bid for the world championships came undone in the javelin.
What to Watch - Thursday 8/2
Gold - Gymnastics - Women's All-Around - 11:30a.m. (NBC Prime Time). After winning the team event, Americans Gabby Douglas and Aly Reismann hope to add individual gold. They should battle Russians Aliya Mustafina and Viktoria Komova. China''s Deng Linlin and the 2006 world all-around champion Vanessa Ferrari of Italy are also in the top group. If NBC's coverage of the women's all-around is anywhere near as horrible as the men's all-around on Wednesday, it will be a must event to watch live online.
Silver - Swimming - Women's 200 Meter Breaststroke - 2:40p.m.; Men's 200 Meter Backstroke - 2:48a.m.; Men's 200 Meter Individual Medley - 3:19a.m. (NBC Prime Time) - Three Americans are looking to defend 2008 gold medals. Rebecca Soni set a world record in the semifinals on Wednesday and looks to be the class of the field. Ryan Lochte defends his title in the 200 backstroke and then will be right back in the pool to try to keep Michael Phelps from winning a third straight gold in the 200 meter individual medley. The 200 IM was the event of the meet at the 2011 world championships as Lochte and Phelps battled the whole way with Lochte setting a new world record. Both men have looked vulnerable in these Olympics and perhaps Laszlo Cseh could finally win gold after three silvers to Phelps in three different events in his career. 400 IM silver medalist Thiago Pereira of Brazil and 200 butterfly champion Chad LeClos of South Africa are also in the field as is Brit James Goddard.
Bronze - Cycling - Men's and Women's Team Sprint - 12:59p.m. (NBC) - Great Britain targeted cycling as a sport that could lead to medals, so after a lot of funds were devoted to the sport, the action on the velodrome (cycling arena) begins on Thursday. Sir Chris Hoy won three golds in Beijing and was the British flagbearer at the opening ceremony, he leads a very strong team on the men's side. Victoria Pendleton, a 9-time world champion and Beijing gold medalist, teams with Jessica Varnish as they look to defeat the favored Australians. Track cycling will receive a lot of focus from the British, they aim for at least half a dozen gold medals over the next week.
Also:
U.S. men's basketball faces Nigeria (5:15p.m. NBCSN)
American beach volleyball duo April Ross and Jenn Kessy, the 2009 world champions, are in action against Spain (11:30a.m. NBC)
Defending champs Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser are back on the beach against the Czechs as pool play ends today (4:00p.m. NBC)
The U.S. men's volleyball team has a tough test if they hope to remain undefeated as they take on Brazil (3:00 p.m. NBC Prime Time)
Silver - Swimming - Women's 200 Meter Breaststroke - 2:40p.m.; Men's 200 Meter Backstroke - 2:48a.m.; Men's 200 Meter Individual Medley - 3:19a.m. (NBC Prime Time) - Three Americans are looking to defend 2008 gold medals. Rebecca Soni set a world record in the semifinals on Wednesday and looks to be the class of the field. Ryan Lochte defends his title in the 200 backstroke and then will be right back in the pool to try to keep Michael Phelps from winning a third straight gold in the 200 meter individual medley. The 200 IM was the event of the meet at the 2011 world championships as Lochte and Phelps battled the whole way with Lochte setting a new world record. Both men have looked vulnerable in these Olympics and perhaps Laszlo Cseh could finally win gold after three silvers to Phelps in three different events in his career. 400 IM silver medalist Thiago Pereira of Brazil and 200 butterfly champion Chad LeClos of South Africa are also in the field as is Brit James Goddard.
Bronze - Cycling - Men's and Women's Team Sprint - 12:59p.m. (NBC) - Great Britain targeted cycling as a sport that could lead to medals, so after a lot of funds were devoted to the sport, the action on the velodrome (cycling arena) begins on Thursday. Sir Chris Hoy won three golds in Beijing and was the British flagbearer at the opening ceremony, he leads a very strong team on the men's side. Victoria Pendleton, a 9-time world champion and Beijing gold medalist, teams with Jessica Varnish as they look to defeat the favored Australians. Track cycling will receive a lot of focus from the British, they aim for at least half a dozen gold medals over the next week.
Also:
U.S. men's basketball faces Nigeria (5:15p.m. NBCSN)
American beach volleyball duo April Ross and Jenn Kessy, the 2009 world champions, are in action against Spain (11:30a.m. NBC)
Defending champs Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser are back on the beach against the Czechs as pool play ends today (4:00p.m. NBC)
The U.S. men's volleyball team has a tough test if they hope to remain undefeated as they take on Brazil (3:00 p.m. NBC Prime Time)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
What to Watch - Wednesday 8/1
Gold: Cycling - Men's Road Time Trial - 9:30a.m. (NBCSN) After four days, Great Britain is still looking for their first gold medal of the Games. Bradley Wiggins, who became the first Brit to win the Tour de France this year, starts as the favorite in the men's individual time trial on the road. Wiggins will be challenged by defending champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and Tony Martin of Germany. Look for the younger American, Taylor Phinney who finished fourth in the road race, to be a dark horse.
Silver: Fencing - Women's Individual Sabre - 3:30p.m. (MSNBC) American flag bearer Mariel Zagunis led an American medal sweep in Beijing after becoming the first American in a century to win fencing gold with her victory in Athens. With a gold medal, Zagunis would join John Flanagan, Al Oerter and Carl Lewis as only the fourth American, and first woman, to win the same individual event in three consecutive Olympics.
Bronze - Gymnastics - Men's All-Around - 11:30a.m. (NBC Prime Time) Koehi Uchimuru has won the last three world championships, and many feel that a gold in London would confirm him as the greatest male gymnast of all time. He was very shaky in the team event, only qualifying in ninth place. Danell Leyva of the United States was the top qualifier and John Orozco was fourth. David Belyavskiy or Russia, Fabien Hambuchen of Germany and hometown favorite Kristian Thomas were the other qualifiers in the top five. Oddly, no Chinese gymnast qualified for the all-around. Guo Weiyang was the only one who entered all four events in qualifying and he finished one place shy of a spot in the all-around finals, although a withdrawl from anyone in the top 24 could put him in the event.
Also:
U.S. women's water polo at 1:30p.m. against Spain (NBC)
The British soccer team looks to move through to the quarterfinals as they take on Uruguay at 3:00p.m. (NBCSN)
U.S. women's volleyball looks to remain undefeated against China at 3:00p.m. (NBC)
The men's eight in rowing will have the gold medal final, as the U.S. team looked surprisingly good in their heat.
Silver: Fencing - Women's Individual Sabre - 3:30p.m. (MSNBC) American flag bearer Mariel Zagunis led an American medal sweep in Beijing after becoming the first American in a century to win fencing gold with her victory in Athens. With a gold medal, Zagunis would join John Flanagan, Al Oerter and Carl Lewis as only the fourth American, and first woman, to win the same individual event in three consecutive Olympics.
Bronze - Gymnastics - Men's All-Around - 11:30a.m. (NBC Prime Time) Koehi Uchimuru has won the last three world championships, and many feel that a gold in London would confirm him as the greatest male gymnast of all time. He was very shaky in the team event, only qualifying in ninth place. Danell Leyva of the United States was the top qualifier and John Orozco was fourth. David Belyavskiy or Russia, Fabien Hambuchen of Germany and hometown favorite Kristian Thomas were the other qualifiers in the top five. Oddly, no Chinese gymnast qualified for the all-around. Guo Weiyang was the only one who entered all four events in qualifying and he finished one place shy of a spot in the all-around finals, although a withdrawl from anyone in the top 24 could put him in the event.
Also:
U.S. women's water polo at 1:30p.m. against Spain (NBC)
The British soccer team looks to move through to the quarterfinals as they take on Uruguay at 3:00p.m. (NBCSN)
U.S. women's volleyball looks to remain undefeated against China at 3:00p.m. (NBC)
The men's eight in rowing will have the gold medal final, as the U.S. team looked surprisingly good in their heat.
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