Day-by-day Olympic calendar

The Rocky

Published August 7, 2008 at 3:58 p.m.

Text size  

• 1 Comment
• Email
• Print

Beijing is 14 hours ahead of Denver. Here's a calendar to help you keep the difference straight.

AUGUST 8

* Main event: The convergence of athleticism, pageantry and big-time smog begins with the Opening Ceremonies at 8:08 p.m. on 8/ 8/08. Did we mention 8 is a lucky number in Chinese culture? The ceremony is top secret, but be prepared for giant blue whales, an illuminated globe and flying performers. Media reports speculate the cauldron lighting will involve a fire-breathing dragon or phoenix.

* Other highlights: The first medals will be awarded in weightlifting late Friday night Mountain time in the women's 105.5-pound division.

* Colorado connections: Alexander Artemev (gymnastics), Joe Hagerty (gymnastics).

* TV: 9News, 6:30-11 p.m.; CNBC, midnight (Saturday)-3 a.m.; Telemundo, 8-9 a.m.

AUGUST 9

* Main event: Michael Phelps' quest for a record eight gold medals begins with perhaps his toughest challenge - the 400 individual medley. NBC analyst Rowdy Gaines says if Phelps can win that event, which also features teammate Ryan Lochte and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh, "it's clear sailing after that."

* Other highlights: Women's gymnastics begins with the U.S. and China battling for the team gold medal. Americans never have won a gold medal on foreign soil, but before this group, they hadn't won a world title on foreign soil either. The U.S. women's basketball team plays the Czech Republic and the women's soccer team faces Japan.

* Colorado connections: Shawn Estrada (boxing), Christian Vande Velde (cycling), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 1:30-6 a.m., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.-5 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m.-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; USA, midnight-noon; Tele- mundo, 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-7 p.m., 11 p.m.-midnight.

AUGUST 10

* Main event: The Redeem Team makes its first basketball appearance, against China. Despite the return of Yao Ming, the Chinese are long shots for a medal.

* Other highlights: She hasn't drawn the attention Michael Phelps has, but fellow Marylander Katie Hoff, 19, is trying to pull off a remarkable feat of her own. She's entered in eight events and aiming for the U.S. mark of five swimming gold medals in a single Olympics (held by Shirley Babashoff, Dara Torres and Natalie Coughlin). She could get No. 1 in the 400 freestyle. Phelps could get gold medal No. 2 if he and his teammates win the 4x100 free relay.

* Colorado connections: Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Will Daly (rowing), Seth Kelsey (fencing), Javier Molina (boxing), Taylor Takata (judo).

* TV: 9News, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 6-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 2-5 p.m., 10 p.m.- 2:30 a.m.; USA, midnight-noon; Telemundo, 3 a.m.- 1 p.m., 5-6 p.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Monday).

AUGUST 11

* Main event: The U.S. men's gymnastics team goes for its second straight gold medal, but it will not be easy without reigning all-around champion Paul Hamm. China will be the heavy favorite.

* Other highlights: Could it be gold No. 3 for Michael Phelps in the 200 freestyle? Americans also could win the men's and women's 100 backstroke, with Aaron Peirsol and Natalie Coughlin having shattered world records last month. Finally, the U.S. softball team makes its debut against Venezuela.

* Colorado connections: Sadam Ali (boxing), Alexander Artemev (gymnastics), Carissa Gump (weightlifting), Joe Hagerty (gymnastics), Ryan Reser (judo), Raynell Williams (boxing), Natalie Woolfolk (weightlifting), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11:30 p.m., midnight- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 7-9 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Tuesday).

AUGUST 12

* Main event: In the new U.S.-China rivalry, women's team gymnastics is the only event in which the countries are pretty evenly matched. A slight edge goes to the world champion Americans, led by Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin, but, of course, the Chinese have home mat advantage.

* Other highlights: The Towson, Md., twosome could pick up two medals each, with Michael Phelps swimming in the 200 butterfly and 4x200 free relay and Katie Hoff going in the 200 free and 200 IM finals. The U.S. softball team faces Australia, which is considered a medal contender.

* Colorado connections: Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Will Daly (rowing), T.C. Dantzler (Greco-Roman wrestling), Carissa Gump (weightlifting), Beki Snyder (shooting), Rau'shee Warren (boxing), Natalie Woolfolk (weightlifting).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-3 a.m.; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 6:30-9 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-6 a.m. (Wednesday).

AUGUST 13

* Main event: With American Paul Hamm out of the competition, the men's individual all-around gymnastics title is up in the air. It's unlikely an American will win, though. Favorites include China's Yang Wei, whose difficulty level is so high that even a fall such as the one that cost him gold in 2004 might not matter; Germany's Fabian Hambuechen, Brazil's Diego Hypolito and 35-year-old Jordan Jovtchev of Bulgaria.

* Other highlights: The U.S. softball team faces one of its strongest foes in Canada, and the U.S. women's basketball team, the gold-medal favorite, plays Mali.

* Colorado connections: Alexander Artemev (gymnastics), T.C. Dantzler (Greco-Roman wrestling), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Joe Hagerty (gymnastics), Jayson Nix (baseball), Bryan Olson (judo), Beki Snyder (shooting), Deontay Wilder (boxing), Luis Yanez (boxing), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7 p.m.-midnight, 12:30-4 a.m. (Thursday); MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; USA, midnight- 10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 6:30-11 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Thursday).

AUGUST 14

* Main event: Teenage U.S. gymnasts Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin are bona fide threats to finish 1-2 in the women's all-around. Johnson, 16, is the 2007 world champion and Liukin, 18, is the only American to have posted a 17 under the new scoring system. The Chinese have been dogged by questions about whether three of their girls, including uneven bars specialist He Kexin, have met the age requirement (16 during an Olympic year).

* Other highlights: U.S.-Cuba baseball doesn't mean as much as it used to, but the teams square off in a game expected to end on the other side of midnight. Olympic Training Center resident Dremiel Byers hopes to emerge from Rulon Gardner's shadow with a gold in the Greco-Roman super heavyweight division.

* Colorado connections: Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Dremiel Byers (Greco-Roman wrestling), Will Daly (rowing), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Javier Molina (boxing), Jayson Nix (baseball), Brad Vering (Greco-Roman wrestling), Adam Wheeler (Greco-Roman wrestling), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7 p.m.-midnight, 12:30 a.m.-4 a.m. (Friday); MSNBC, 3 a.m-2:30 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; USA, midnight- 10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 7-9 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Friday).

AUGUST 15

* Main event: Boulder native Shalane Flanagan and CU graduate Kara Goucher give the U.S. a real chance at a rare medal in the women's 10,000. Goucher took the bronze medal in the 2007 worlds and Flanagan beat her in this year's Olympic trials. World shot put champion Reese Hoffa also could medal for the U.S.

* Other highlights: In his next-to-last event - the 100 butterfly - Phelps faces one of his toughest challenges in teammate Aaron Peirsol, the world record-holder in the event. Matt Emmons of Colorado Springs will try to repeat as gold medalist in the men's prone rifle event.

* Colorado connections: Sadam Ali (boxing), Jenny Barringer (track and field), Erin Blanchard (gymnastics), Clarissa Chun (wrestling), Kevin Eastler (track and field), Matt Emmons (shooting), Chris Estrada (gymnastics), Shalane Flanagan (track and field), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Kara Goucher (track and field), Cheryl Haworth (weightlifting), Seth Kelsey (fencing), Billy Nelson (track and field), Jayson Nix (baseball), Taylor Phinney (cycling), Marcie Van Dusen (wrestling), Raynell Williams (boxing).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 5 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m.; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 7-9 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1 a.m.-1 p.m. (Saturday).

AUGUST 16

* Main event: Michael Phelps competes for the final time in these Games. If everything goes according to plan, he'll be gunning for his eighth gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay. Dara Torres, 41, also competes in her best event - the 50 freestyle.

* Other highlights: The competition to determine the world's fastest man concludes with world champion Tyson Gay of the U.S. trying to fend off Jamaica's Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell in the 100 meters. But Gay, who clocked an astonishing 9.68 seconds in a wind-assisted effort at the U.S. trials, damaged his hamstring. Still, he contends he's ready. The U.S. men's basketball team faces one of its toughest competitors - relatively speaking - Pau Gasol and Spain.

* Colorado connections: Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Michael Blatchford (cycling), Clarissa Chun (wrestling), Will Daly (rowing), Matt Emmons (shooting), Shawn Estrada (boxing), Cheryl Haworth (weightlifting), Deena Kastor (track and field), Randi Miller (wrestling), Taylor Phinney (cycling), Marcie Van Dusen (freestyle wrestling), Rau'shee Warren (boxing), Luis Yanez (boxing), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 6-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 5 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.- midnight; USA, midnight-noon; Telemundo, 1 a.m.- 1 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-midnight.

AUGUST 17

* Main event: It would be hard to recreate that nearly five-hour, five-set classic at Wimbledon last month, but it's likely Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be going at it again in the Olympic men's singles final. No one is hotter at the moment than Nadal right now.

* Other highlights: Could Coloradan Alexander Artemev jump from alternate to medalist? He won is a 2006 world bronze medalist in the pommel horse.

* Colorado connections: Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Alexander Artemev (gymnastics), Jenny Barringer (track and field), Laura Bennett (triathlon), Michael Blatchford (cycling), Will Daly (rowing), Joe Hagerty (gymnastics), Sarah Haskins Kortuem (triathlon), Lopez Lomong (track and field), Randi Miller (freestyle wrestling), Javier Molina (boxing), David Oliver (track and field), Taylor Phinney (cycling), Loree Smith (track and field), Jorge Torres (track and field), Deontay Wilder (boxing), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 6:30 p.m.-4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 1-5 p.m., 10 p.m.-midnight; USA, midnight-noon; Telemundo, 3 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-6 p.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Monday).

AUGUST 18

* Main event: Moscow-born, Texas- raised Nastia Liukian gets her chance to steal the spotlight from teammate Shawn Johnson in the uneven bars, Liukin's best event. Her routine is one of the most difficult in the world. If she nails it, she'll get the gold.

* Other highlights: Will the rebuilding U.S. women's soccer team make it to the final four? A 21-1-1 record in 2008 would indicate it has a pretty good chance, but it will be playing without its best scorer, Abby Wambach, who was injured in the final pre-Olympic game. Both semifinals will be played tonight.

* Colorado connections: Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Alexander Artemev (gymnastics), Erin Blanchard (gymnastics), Michael Blatchford (cycling), Janet Culp (synchronized swimming), Joe Hagerty (gymnastics), Billy Nelson (track and field), Matt Reed (triathlon), Raynell Williams (boxing), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 6-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-midnight; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 7-11 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-7 a.m. (Tuesday).

AUGUST 19

* Main event: No American has won the men's 1,500 since Jim Ryun in 1968, but Kenyan-born Bernard Lagat has a chance. But the best story might be Lopez Lomong, a "Lost Boy of Sudan" who came here as a refugee and now is a U.S. Air Force Academy coach.

* Other highlights: If American Sanya Richards wins the 400 gold medal, she could become half the world's fastest couple. Her fiance is cornerback Aaron Ross of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

* Colorado connections: Sadam Ali (boxing), Alexander Artemev (gymnastics), Michael Blatchford (cycling), Henry Cejudo (wrestling), Janet Culp (synchronized swimming), Chris Estrada (gymnastics), Shalane Flanagan (track and field), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Michael Friedman (cycling), Kara Goucher (track and field), Joe Hagerty (gymnastics), Lopez Lomong (track and field), Casey Malone (track and field), Jayson Nix (baseball), David Oliver (track and field), Luis Yanez (boxing).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-midnight; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 7:30-10 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Wednesday).

AUGUST 20

* Main event: Can the queens of the beach, Kerri Walsh and Misty May Treanor, win their second straight Olympic gold medal (to go with three world gold medals) in beach volleyball? They'll likely face a perennially strong Brazilian team, one of two Chinese teams or another American team for the big prize.

* Other highlights: The U.S. baseball team, featuring Rockies farmhands Dexter Fowler and Jayson Nix, take on gold-medal favorite Japan in their final game before the semifinals. This is the final year for baseball and softball in the Olympics, but supporters are trying to get the sports back for 2016.

* Colorado connections: Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Janet Culp (synchronized swimming), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Jayson Nix (baseball), David Oliver (track and field), Loree Smith (track and field), Elaine Youngs (beach volleyball).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.- midnight; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 7-9 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Thursday).

AUGUST 21

* Main event: The U.S. women will try to wrap up their fourth and final softball gold medal. The U.S. dominated in Athens in 2004, sweeping all nine games and outscoring their opponents 51-1.

* Other highlights: China superstar Liu Xiang will try to defend his 110-meter hurdles gold medal, but he'll be challenged by world record-holder Dayron Robles of Cuba and Denver East High's David Oliver, the U.S. trials champion. It's also a big day for team sports with the women's basketball semifinals, women's soccer bronze- and gold-medal matches, baseball semifinals and men's beach volleyball bronze- and gold-medal matches.

* Colorado connections: Eli Bremer (modern pentathlon), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Steve Mocco (freestyle wrestling), Jayson Nix (baseball), David Oliver (track and field), Sam Sacksen (modern pentathlon).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.- 2 a.m.; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Tele- mundo, 7-10 a.m., 11 p.m.-midnight, 1-5 a.m. (Friday).

AUGUST 22

* Main event: If everything goes to plan, the Redemption Tour winds down to the next-to-last game with the United States coasting through an easy men's basketball semifinal win. The Americans lost their semifinal in Athens in 2004, so you can bet coach Mike Krzyzewski will remind them of that before this game.

* Other highlights: The Czech Republic's Roman Sebrle and American Bryan Clay finished 1-2 in the Athens decathlon and are expected to compete for the top spots again. The baseball competition reaches the semifinals.

* Colorado connections: Sadam Ali (boxing), Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Georgia Gould (cycling), Margaux Isaksen (modern pentathlon), Jayson Nix (baseball), Luis Yanez (boxing).

* TV: 9News, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 5 a.m.; MSNBC, 3 a.m.-3 p.m.; CNBC, 3-6 p.m., 10 p.m.-midnight; USA, midnight-10 a.m.; Oxygen, 5-7 p.m.; Telemundo, 6-9 a.m., 10 p.m.-1 a.m.

AUGUST 23

* Main event: Rising star Ryan Hall hopes to continue America's distance-running revival with a gold medal in the classic Olympic event, the men's marathon. Hall recorded the best marathon time by an American- born runner at this year's London Marathon. CU product Dathan Ritzenhein also is entered.

* Other highlights: The women's basketball final, which should include the U.S. team, will be held late tonight. Baseball concludes its Olympic run. Will the Americans hold off favored Japan and Cuba? It is America's game, right?

* Colorado connections: Janet Culp (synchronized swimming), Shawn Estrada (boxing), Dexter Fowler (baseball), Javier Molina (boxing), Jayson Nix (baseball), Dathan Ritzenhein (track and field), Rau'shee Warren (boxing), Todd Wells (cycling), Deontay Wilder (boxing), Raynell Williams (boxing).

* TV: 9News, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 6:30-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.- 4 a.m.; MSNBC, 6-8 a.m.; CNBC, 10 p.m.-midnight; USA, midnight-8 a.m.; Telemundo, 5 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m., 11 p.m.-midnight.

AUGUST 24

* Main event: Will Carmelo Anthony and the guys take back the gold medal for the U.S.? To find out, stay up late Saturday night - the game starts about 12:30 a.m. MDT Sunday.

* Other highlights: Six medals will be awarded in boxing, but America has boxers in only four of those divisions. Luis Yanez, who almost didn't make the team, might be the U.S.'s best hope.

* Colorado connections: Sadam Ali (boxing), Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Carmelo Anthony (basketball), Luis Yanez (boxing).

* TV: 9News, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 6 p.m.-midnight; USA, midnight-9 a.m.; Telemundo, 3-11 a.m, 5-6 p.m., 11 p.m.-midnight.

• August 8, 2008

  3:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  incstlouis writes:

  Let's go Colorado athletes!!! Special shout out to Sarah Haskins - St. Louisan that relocated to the Olympic Training Center to pursue her dream of making it to a US Olympic Team. Goal #1 has been achieved. We are pulling for you to bring home a medal.

  This is just the beginning.
  J.Lynch
  Dad, Sponsor, Athlete & Business Owner
  http://www.ShowMeCables.com

Featured

• Through Your Lens

  

  Submit your photos or see the Editor's Choice slide show here.

• Rocky Multimedia

  

  The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.

• Holiday Lights

  

  Is your house the jolliest on the block? Submit your holiday lights display.

• Holiday Gift Guide

  

  Looking to get a jump-start on the holiday shopping season?

• Mount Crushmore

  

  Which four Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Vote here.

• Bronco Dean's rant

  

  Listen to Bronco Dean's midweek rant on the Chiefs.

• Broncos Video

  

  Get the latest from Dove Valley as the Broncos prepare for Sunday's matchup.

• Calendar wallpaper

  

  Download this month's desktop wallpaper calendar

• Sam Adams' Open Mic

  

  Open Mic: Stirrin' the Soup with Matt Iseman