You should root for Irina Karavayeva in the women's trampoline. Why? The Russian is 33 and still bouncing, and, in the 2001 world championships, she gave her gold medal to the runner-up when it was discovered Karavayeva had won on a scoring error.
Locals to watch
The U.S. women, featuring former Terps Dina Rizzo, Keli Smith and Lauren Powley, face England in field hockey.
Prime time
Beach volleyball (women), gymnastics (men, women), track and field (men, women), trampoline (women) 8 p.m.-
midnight
AUG 19
Highlights
No, you didn't accidentally tune in the X Games. Those guys riding bikes and flying over dirt jumps are BMX racers, competing in a sport making its medal debut. Just think how snowboarding has changed the profile of the Winter Olympics.
Local to watch
Consider U.S. success in freestyle wrestling good news in College Park, because UM's new coach is American assistant Kerry McCoy.
Prime time
BMX cycling (men, women), diving (men), track and field (men, women), gymnastics (men, women)
8 p.m.-midnight
AUG 20
Highlights
If Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh aren't playing in the beach volleyball final, consider it quite the upset. The U.S. pair, the defending Olympic champion, have a 101-match winning streak coming into the Games. To prepare, they practiced against 1996 medalists Karch Kiraly and Mike Dodd.
Local to watch
Will Carmelo and the Redeem Team be on a roll? All four basketball quarterfinals are played.
Prime time
Beach volleyball (women), BMX cycling (men, women), gymnastics (men, women), track and field (men, women)
8 p.m.-midnight
AUG 21
Highlights
American 400 runners Jeremy Wariner (the Athens gold medalist) and LaShawn Merritt have been going back and forth beating each other this year, including Merritt's win at the trials. They will be trying to extend the U.S. winning streak in this event to seven consecutive Olympics.
Local to watch
To challenge in women's table tennis, Gaithersburg's Gao Jun has mostly lived and trained in her native China.
Prime time
Beach volleyball (men), diving (women), track and field (men, women)
8 p.m.-midnight
AUG 22
Highlights
The "world's greatest athlete" is crowned with the completion of the decathlon. American Bryan Clay, who has the world's highest point total this year, will try to win gold to go with his Athens silver. The U.S. hasn't won this event since 1996.
