It is the Olympics. Planet Earth’s oldest and most prestigious sporting event. Thanks to Frenchmen Baron de Coubertin, humans have been enjoying what we know as “modern day” Summer Olympics since 1896; and the next edition of the global games in London is sure to impress. Beginning in the last week of July, millions of people across the globe will be thrilled by our planet’s greatest athletes, as each nation competes for honor, glory, and history. The players are not motivated by paychecks, the fans are not motivated by hate, and the governments not by politics. Whether you are a gymnast, marathoner, swimmer, grocery clerk, or President, we are all motivated by pride our sports, our nations, and our planet. Here is a preview of what to watch for in a brimming two-weeks of sporting bliss at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
*All times are Eastern US
**All times are subject to change
***Events will be shown on NBC Networks and will be replayed in primetime.
****Each day highlights some of the top events to look forward to. Click here for the day and time of every event.
WEEK ONE: The Olympics begin with some of the most thrilling events as swimming will highlight most of the first week highlights. The soccer, volleyball, and basketball tournaments will continue throughout both weeks.
Friday July 27th
Opening Ceremony @ 4pm ET (Replayed in Primetime)
Can London top China’s Opening Ceremony in 2008?
Saturday July 28th
US Women’s Soccer vs Colombia @ 12:00pm ET
Swimming
Men’s 400m Individual Medley Final @ 2:30pm ET
Men’s 400m Freestyle Final @ 2:50pm ET
Women’s 400m Individual Medley Final @ 3:00pm ET
US Women’s Volleyball vs South Korea @ 3pm ET
Sunday July 29th
US Men’s Basketball vs France @ 9:30am ET
Men’s Individual Fencing Gold Medal Match @ 2:10 ET
US Men’s Volleyball vs Serbia @ 11:45am ET
Swimming
Women’s 400m Freestyle Finals @ 3:13pm ET
Women’s 100m Butterfly Final @ 2:30pm ET
Men’s 100m Breaststroke Final @ 3:07pm ET
Monday July 30th
Men’s Team Gymnastics Final @ 1:30pm ET
US Women’s Volleyball vs Brazil @ 11:45am ET
Swimming
Men’s 200m Freestyle Final @ 2:43 pm ET
Women’s 100m Backstroke Final @ 2:50pm ET
Men’s 100m Backstroke Final @ 2:58pm ET
Women’s 100m Breaststroke Final 3:15pm ET
Jordyn Wieber is the new name in USA Gymnastics.
Tuesday July 31st
US Women’s Soccer vs North Korea @ 12:15pm ET
Women’s Team Gymnastics Final @ 11:30am ET
US Men’s Volleyball vs Germany @ 11:45am ET
Swimming
Women’s 200m Butterfly Final @ 2:41pm ET
Men’s 200m Butterfly Final @ 2:48 pm ET
Women’s 200m Individual Medley Final @ 3:39 ET
Wednesday August 1st
US Men’s Volleyball vs China @ 3pm ET
Swimming
Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay Final at 4:00pm ET
Men’s 200m Breaststroke Final @ 2:30pm ET
Women’s 200m Butterfly Final @ 3:09pm ET
Men’s 100m freestyle Final @ 2:16pm ET
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are the two best swimmers in the world and both hail from the US.
Thursday August 2nd
US Men’s Basketball Group Stage Game @ 5:15pm ET
US Men’s Volleyball vs Brazil @ 3pm ET
Swimming
Women’s 200m Breaststroke Final @ 2:39pm ET
Men’s 200m Backstroke Final @ 2:46pm ET
Men’s 200m Individual Medley @ 3:15pm ET
Women’s 100m Freestyle Final @ 3:21pm ET
Friday August 3rd
US Men’s Basketball vs Czech Republic @ 5:15pm ET
Men/Women Beach Volleyball Round of 16 @ 4am-5pm ET
Women’s Soccer Quarterfinals @ 5am-2:30pm ET
US Women’s Volleyball vs Serbia @ 3:00pm ET
Track & Field
Men’s Shot Put Final @ 3:30pm ET
Swimming
Women’s 200m Backstroke Final @ 2:30pm ET
Men’s 100m Butterfly Final @ 2:38pm ET
Women’s 800m Freestyle Final @ 2:45pm ET
Men’s 50m Freestyle Final @ 3:09pm ET
Saturday August 4th
US Men’s Volleyball vs Russia @ 11:45am ET
US Men’s Water Polo vs Serbia @ 2:40 pm ET
Track & Field
Women’s 100m Final @ 4:55pm ET
Swimming
Women’s 50m Freestyle Final @ 2:30pm ET
Men’s 1500m Freestyle Final @ 2:36pm ET
Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay @ 3:07pm ET
Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay @ 3:27pm ET
WEEK 2: The second week of the Summer Olympics is dominated by the track & field events and the gymnastics men and women over-all individual winners will be crowned on Tuesday.
3-Peat for Walsh and May?
Sunday August 5th
Women’s Beach Volleyball Quarterfinals @ 1pm-6pm ET
US Women’s Volleyball vs Turkey @ 3pm ET
Track & Field
Men’s 100m Final @ 4:50pm ET
Monday August 6th
US Men’s Basketball vs Argentina @ 5:15pm ET
Men’s Beach Volleyball Quarterfinals @ 1pm-6pm ET
Women’s Soccer Semifinals @ 12pm & 2:45pm ET
Track & Field
Men’s 400m Hurdles Final @ 3:45pm ET
Tuesday August 7th
Women’s Beach Volleyball Semifinals @ 12pm & 4pm ET
Men’s Beach Volleyball Semifinals @ 1pm & 6pm ET
Men’s Triathlon Final @ 6:30am ET
Gymnastics Final Evening Men/Women Individual Events
Track & Field
Men’s High Jump Final @ 2pm ET
This isn’t your typical gym class ping-pong match.
Wednesday August 8th
Women’s Beach Volleyball Final @ 4pm ET
Men’s Team Table Tennis Final @ 10:30pm ET
Track & Field
Women’s 200m Final @ 4pm ET
Thursday August 9th
Men’s Beach Volleyball Final @ 4pm ET
Women’s Soccer Final @ 2:45pm ET
Women’s Volleyball Semifinals @ 10am & 2:30pm ET
Friday August 10th
Men’s Basketball Semifinals @ 12pm & 4pm ET
Men’s Volleyball Semifinals @ 10am & 2:30pm ET
Track & Field
Women’s 4x100m Relay Final @ 3:40pm ET
Can Neymar lead Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal?
Saturday August 11th
Women’s Basketball Final @ 4pm ET
Men’s Soccer Final @ 10am ET
Women’s Volleyball Final @ 1:30pm ET
Track & Field
Women’s 800m Final @ 3pm ET
British band Blur is set to close the 2012 Olympics.
Sunday August 12th
Men’s Marathon @ 6:00am ET
Men’s Basketball Final @ 10am ET
Handball Final @ 9:30am ET
Men’s Volleyball Final @ 8am ET
Men’s Water Polo Final @ 10:50am ET
Closing Ceremony
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