Familiar foes: Can we admit it now? A US-Canada showdown in the women's gold medal game was inevitable from the beginning, or at the very least once it was clear this young, rebuilt version of the US team would not take Sweden -- which pulled off a stunning upset over the Americans in 2006 at Turin, Italy -- lightly. But that's not to suggest it's a tired rivalry. The US enters as underdogs searching for its first gold since 1998. Canada enters as the favorite, and its should be bolstered by a rowdy home crowd that thirsts for gold. But only a fool writes off a team that has Jenny Potter and Angela Ruggiero on its side. Expect another memorable chapter to the rivalry. 6:30 p.m.

Competition and emotion: South Korea's Kim Yu Na, who was spectacular in the short program Tuesday night, comes in to the women's free program as the heavy favorite to win gold. But all eyes -- including more than a few teary ones -- will be on Canada's Joannie Rochette, who mustered the strength to finish third in the short program despite the sudden death of her mother, Therese, of a heart attack Sunday. One programming note: Be sure to check back right here tonight, when the Globe's John Powers provides instant analysis during and after the program. 8 p.m.

And don't forget . . . Jeret Peterson takes to the air at Cypress Mountain in the finals of the men's aerials. He says he will break out "The Hurricane," his daring -- and incredibly dangerous, given its five midair spins and three flips -- signature move. If he lands it, he could leave with some gold. 9 p.m.

Two great skiers . . . Let's see: Lindsey Vonn has a gold (downhill) and a bronze (super-G). Julia Mancuso has a pair of silvers (downhill, super combined). Vonn is the most decorated skier in US history and a ready-made star before arriving in Vancouver. Mancuso, who won gold in the event in 2006, is the favorite. Given their friends/rivals/teammates/ok-it's-complicated relationship, it'll be fascinating to see if either, neither, or both can end up on the podium today, especially since Mancuso has announced she will not race in Friday's slalom. 4:15 p.m.

. . . two great matchups: We're livin' in the Land of Hockey here, so it only seems right that the competition heats up on the ice in the culminating days of the Vancouver Games. Today brings a pair of compelling matchups in the quarterfinals: Ryan Miller and the US take on Switzerland(3 p.m.). And Canada, fresh off its mildly reassuring 8-2 rout of overmatched Germany Tuesday night, faces Alex Ovechkin and potent Russia (7:30 p.m.) in what we suspect will be an instant classic.

New heights?: Belmont's Emily Cook is among the aerialists in the finals tonight, qualifying in fifth place despite a troublesome heel that hindered her training leading up to the Games. Cook, on her third Olympic team but a finalist for the first time, said she plans to be more aggressive with her jumps tonight. Could a medal be within reach?

And don't forget . . . Another New Englander with a chance at the podium? We're all in favor. Erin Pac of Farmington, Conn. is in medal contention in women's bobsled; she's in second place heading into today's third heat.

The Bird's Nest will play host to the closing ceremonies on Aug. 24. (Reuters)

STAR ATTRACTIONS: The final day brings plenty of action from the boxing ring and the passing of the Olympic torch to London, host of the 2012 Games.

NBC and NBC HD
Noon-4 p.m. Boxing - Six Gold Medal Finals; Men's Water Polo Gold Medal Match; Gymnastics - Rhythmic Group Gold Medal Final; 7-11 p.m. Men's Volleyball Gold Medal Match; Closing Ceremony

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Men's Basketball Bronze Medal Game (LIVE)

USA and USA HD
5-11 a.m. Men's Basketball Gold Medal Final Game (re-air); Men's Volleyball Bronze Medal Match; Men's Water Polo Bronze Medal Match; Men's Handball Gold Medal Game - Men's Marathon

TELEMUNDO
4 a.m.-1 p.m. Track & Field Gold Medal Finals and Men's Marathon; Men's Basketball Gold Medal Game; Men's Diving - Platform Gold Medal Final; Boxing Gold Medal Finals; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD 24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD
Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
Midnight-Noon Men's Gold Medal Game

Baseball teams will collide no more after the Beijing Olympiad. (Reuters)

STAR ATTRACTIONS: Will Team USA's Lisa Leslie receive her final gold medal? And it's the final swan song for baseball as an Olympic sport.

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Women's Basketball Gold Medal Game (LIVE); Synchronized Swimming - Team Gold Medal Final; Canoeing Gold Medal Finals; Gymnastics - Rhythmic Individual Gold Medal Final; Women's Volleyball Gold Medal Match; Boxing Gold Medal Finals; 7:30 p.m.-Midnight Track & Field - Men's Marathon (LIVE); Track & Field; Men's Diving - Platform Gold Medal Final; 12:30-5 a.m. Men's Basketball Gold Medal Game (LIVE); Men's Mountain Bike; Men's Table Tennis - Gold Medal Match

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Men's Soccer Gold Medal Game (LIVE)

USA and USA HD
2-10 a.m. Baseball Gold Medal Game (LIVE); Women's Handball Gold Medal Game (LIVE); Women's Volleyball Bronze Medal Match; Men's Field Hockey Gold Medal Game (LIVE); Men's Table Tennis - Singles Semifinal

MSNBC
8-10 a.m. Men's Table Tennis - Singles Gold & Bronze Medal Matches

TELEMUNDO
6 a.m.-2 p.m. Baseball Gold Medal Game (LIVE) Track & Field - Gold Medal Finals; Men's Diving - Platform Semifinal; Boxing Gold Medal Finals; 6-7:30 p.m. Men's Volleyball Semifinal; Midnight-1 a.m. Women's Volleyball Gold Medal Match

UNIVERSAL HD 24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD
Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
Midnight-Noon Men's Soccer Gold Medal Match

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Women's Basketball Gold Medal Game

Shalane Flanagan was pumped and patriotic after winning bronze in the 10,000 meters. (AP)

STAR ATTRACTIONS: Marblehead's Shalane Flanagan looks to medal in the women's 5000 meters, the U.S. men's hoops team is expected to play in semifinal round.

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Men's Basketball Semifinal (LIVE); Canoeing - Gold Medal Finals; Women's Table Tennis - Gold Medal Final; 8 p.m.-Midnight Track & Field; Men's Diving (LIVE); Gymnastics; 12:35-2 a.m. - Women's Volleyball Bronze Medal Match (LIVE); Men's Table Tennis - Singles Semifinals; Synchronized Swimming Team Competition

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4 a.m. Boxing Semifinals (LIVE); Baseball Semifinal (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing Semifinals

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Men's Basketball Semifinal (LIVE); Men's Water Polo Semifinal (LIVE); Track & Field; Women's Table Tennis - Singles Semifinal; Men's Table Tennis Quarterfinals; Canoeing Gold Medal Finals

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Men's Soccer Bronze Medal Match (LIVE); Baseball Semifinal; Men's Volleyball Semifinal; Women's Field Hockey Bronze Medal Game; Women's Modern Pentathlon; Women's Mountain Bike; Men's Handball Semifinal

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Women's Field Hockey Gold Medal Game

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Women's Diving - Platform Gold Medal Final; Track & Field Gold Medal Finals; Men's Beach Volleyball Gold Medal Match; 6:55-10 a.m. Men's Soccer Bronze Medal Match (LIVE); Men's Basketball Semifinal (LIVE); 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Men's Soccer Gold Medal Match (LIVE)

UNIVERSAL HD 24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD
Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
7 a.m.-7 p.m. Men's Bronze Medal Match and Women's Gold Medal Match

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
8 a.m.-8 p.m. Men's Semifinals

LaShawn Merritt (right) looks to outpace the rest of the field in the 400. (Harry How / Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTIONS: Defending men's 400 meter champion Jeremy Wariner may have a difficult time earning his second individual gold medal as American LaShawn Merritt (above, right) has proven to be a legitimate threat to the crown.

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Men's Swimming; Gymnastics - Rhythmic Competition; Women's Water Polo; Equestrian -; Softball; 8 p.m.-Midnight Track & Field; Women's Diving - Platform Gold Medal Final; Men's Beach Volleyball; 12:35-2 a.m Men's Volleyball(LIVE); Men's Beach Volleyball

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Women's Track & Field - 20k Walk; 5-8 p.m. Freestyle Wrestling 84kg, 96kg, 120kg Gold Medal Finals

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Women's Soccer Gold Medal Match (LIVE); Softball Gold Medal Game (LIVE); Canoeing Semifinals (LIVE); Freestyle Wrestling; Women's Table Tennis; Men's Table Tennis

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Women's Basketball Semifinal (LIVE); Women's Soccer Bronze Medal Match (LIVE); Women's Water Polo Bronze Medal Match (LIVE); Women's Handball Semifinals; Women's Volleyball Semifinal

OXYGEN
6-8 a.m. Gymnastics Gala Exhibition

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Track & Field Gold Medal Finals; Women's Diving - Platform Competition and Semifinal; 8-11 a.m. Women's Soccer - Gold Medal Match (LIVE); Women's Beach Volleyball Gold Medal Match; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD 24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD
Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Women's Gold Medal Match

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
8 a.m.-8 p.m. Women's Semifinals

Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh are strong contenders for the US on the beach.

STAR ATTRACTIONS: The Americans are expected to take gold in the women's beach volleyball and Florida State's Walter Dix tries to leg out a medal in the men's 200 meters.

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Men's Volleyball Quarterfinal (LIVE); Women's Diving; 8 p.m.-Midnight Track & Field - Gold Medal Finals; Gymnastics Gala Exhibition; Women's Beach Volleyball (LIVE); Women's Diving - (LIVE); Cycling - BMX (LIVE); 12:35-2 a.m. Women's Volleyball (LIVE); Women's Track & Field; Women's Beach Volleyball

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Softball; 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Men's Basketball Quarterfinal (LIVE); Canoeing Semifinals (LIVE); Women's Swimming - Marathon Gold Medal Final; Men's Water Polo

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Softball Bronze Medal (LIVE); Men's Volleyball; Baseball - USA vs. Japan; Freestyle Wrestling; Table Tennis; Men's Handball Quarterfinal

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Synchronized Swimming - Duet Gold Medal Final

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Men's Basketball Quarterfinal; Track & Field Gold Medal Finals; Men's Diving - Springboard Competition; 8-10 a.m. Men's Beach Volleyball Semifinal; Gymnastics - Individual Event Gold Medal Finals; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD 24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD
Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Men's Games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Best of Women's & Men's Semifinals

The USA's Lolo Jones won her semifinal heat in 12.43 seconds, the fastest time since 2004. (Francois Xavier Marit / AFP / Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTIONS: LoLo Jones (above) is expected to swipe gold in the women's 110 hurdles finals and look out: The X-Games comes to the Games as BMX awards its first medals.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Women's Volleyball (LIVE); Track & Field; Women's Water Polo Semifinal; 8 p.m.-Midnight Track & Field Gold Medal Finals; Gymnastics; Men's Beach Volleyball Semifinal (LIVE); Men's Diving - Springboard Gold Medal Final; 12:35-2 a.m. - Men's Gymnastics - Trampoline Gold Medal Final; Men's Cycling - BMX Competition (LIVE)

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Freestyle Wrestling; (LIVE) Table Tennis (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Women's Basketball Quarterfinals (LIVE); Canoeing (LIVE); Women's Handball Quarterfinals; Men's Beach Volleyball Semifinal; Table Tennis Singles, First Round Competition; Women's Water Polo Semifinal; Cycling - Track Gold Medal Finals

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Men's Soccer Semifinals (LIVE); Freestyle Wrestling 55kg, 60kg Gold Medal Finals; Weightlifting (LIVE); Baseball - USA vs. Taiwan; Women's Volleyball Quarterfinals

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Synchronized Swimming Duet Competition; Equestrian - Individual Dressage Gold Medal Final

TELEMUNDO
2-8 a.m. Men's Soccer Semifinals (LIVE); Gymnastics - Individual Events Gold Medal Finals; Track & Field; Men's Diving Springboard Semifinal; Women's Beach Volleyball Semifinal; 8:30-11 a.m. Men's Soccer - Semifinal (LIVE); Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Women's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Men's Semifinals

Germany's Dirk Nowitzki (left) will lead his country against Team USA. (Filippo Monteforte / Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTION: It will be nationalism at its finest as the American and Chinese teams battle on the softball and baseball diamonds, while Team USA men's basketball will meet up against the Germans and Dirk Nowitzki (above).

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Men's Volleyball - USA vs. Japan (LIVE); Track & Field; Men's Diving; Men's Beach Volleyball; 8 p.m.-Midnight Gymnastics; Track & Field; Women's Beach Volleyball (LIVE); 12:35-2 a.m. Men's Diving Springboard Semifinal; Men's Triathlon

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Softball - USA vs. China (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Men's Basketball - USA vs. Germany (LIVE); Men's Water Polo - USA vs. Germany (LIVE); Canoeing (LIVE); Women's Field Hockey - USA vs. Britain (LIVE); Men's Table Tennis; Women's Table Tennis

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Men's Basketball - Argentina vs. Russia (LIVE); Women's Soccer Semifinals (LIVE); Baseball - USA vs. China; Cycling - Track; Men's Handball - Germany vs. Denmark; Men's Weightlifting 105kg Competition; Men's Beach Volleyball

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Equestrian - Team Jumping Final

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Gymnastics; Women's Diving; Track & Field; 8 a.m.-Noon Women's Soccer Semifinal (LIVE); Men's Beach Volleyball; Boxing; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Men's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Women's Semifinals

Rafael Nadal of Spain during singles play. (Bloomberg)

STAR ATTRACTION: Mula Lee looks to continue her rise as she goes for gold in the women's 100 meters. Can Rafael Nadal (above) add a gold medal to his French and Wimbledon titles?

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Women's Basketball - USA vs. New Zealand (LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Women's Volleyball - USA vs. Poland; Cycling; Women's Table Tennis; Rowing; 7 p.m.-Midnight Gymnastics; Track & Field; Women's Diving; Rowing - Eights Gold Medal Finals; 12:35-2 a.m. Track & Field; Men's Beach Volleyball Quarterfinal; Women's Triathlon

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-2 a.m. Women's Beach Volleyball; Women's Weightlifting; 3-7 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-2 p.m. Women's Beach Volleyball; Men's Tennis - Singles Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Women's Tennis - Doubles Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Cycling; Women's Handball - Russia vs. Germany; Men's Table Tennis

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Softball - USA vs. Netherlands (LIVE); Women's Wrestling; Women's Table Tennis; Badminton; Men's Fencing; Men's Badminton; Men's Weightlifting 94kg Competition; Women's Basketball; Women's Volleyball; Women's Water Polo

TELEMUNDO
4 a.m.-2 p.m. Swimming - Gold Medal Finals; Women's Volleyball; Women's Diving - Springboard Semifinal; Track & Field Gold Medal Finals; Women's Beach Volleyball; Baseball; Boxing; Gymnastics - Trampoline Competition; 6-7:30 p.m. Women's Beach Volleyball; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Women's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Best of Men's & Women's games

Tyson Gay poses on the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTION: American Tyson Gay looks to make his mark by attempting to become the world's fastest man in the 100-meter final. Can the Williams's sisters bring home the gold in the women's tennis finals? Waltham's Deena Kastor seeks gold in the women's marathon.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Men's Basketball - USA vs. Spain (LIVE); Track & Field; Men's & Women's Gymnastics - Trampoline Competition; Beach Volleyball; Women's Diving - Springboard Semifinals; Men's Water Polo - USA vs. Croatia; Rowing - Gold Medal Finals; Cycling - Track Gold Medal Final; Women's Badminton - Singles Gold Medal Finals; 7:30 p.m.-Midnight Swimming (LIVE); Track & Field; 12:30-2 a.m. Women's Beach Volleyball - USA Match; Women's Track & Field - 800-meter Semifinals

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4:30 a.m. Softball - USA vs. Taiwan (LIVE); Boxing 51kg, 75kg Competition (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-2 p.m. Women's Tennis - Singles Gold Medal Final (LIVE) and Singles Bronze Medal Match; Track & Field - Men's 20k Walk; Men's Tennis - Doubles Gold Medal Final and Men's Singles Bronze Medal Match; Women's Field Hockey - USA vs. New Zealand; Cycling - Track Gold Medal Finals; Men's Table Tennis Team Semifinals

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Men's Soccer Quarterfinals (LIVE); Baseball - USA vs. Canada; Women's Wrestling(LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Men's Badminton - Doubles Gold Medal Final; Equestrian - Individual Dressage

TELEMUNDO
2 a.m.-2 p.m. Men's Soccer Quarterfinals (LIVE); Track & Field - Gold Medal Finals; Swimming - Gold Medal Finals; Men's Basketball; Women's Diving - Springboard Competition; Beach Volleyball; Baseball; Boxing; 6-7:30 p.m. Men's Volleyball; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Men's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Men's games

Natalie Coughlin (Bloomberg)

STAR ATTRACTION: A big swimming day where Amanda Beard and Natalie Coughlin could shoot for gold; The possible final Olympic matchup between rivals USA and Cuba on the baseball diamond.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Swimming; Track & Field; Beach Volleyball; Women's Water Polo - USA vs. Russia; 8 p.m.-Midnight Swimming (LIVE): Gold Medal Finals; Track and Field; Beach Volleyball (LIVE); Men's Volleyball - USA vs. China; 12:35-2 a.m. Women's Track & Field - 10,000-meter Gold Medal Final; Women's Diving

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4:30 a.m. Softball - USA vs. Japan (LIVE); Boxing (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Women's Soccer Quarterfinal (LIVE); Women's Basketball - USA vs. Spain (LIVE); Baseball - USA vs. Cuba; Tennis Semifinals; Beach Volleyball; Men's Archery - Individual Gold Medal Final; Cycling Track Events Competition

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Women's Volleyball - USA vs. China (LIVE); Women's Soccer Quarterfinals; Beach Volleyball; Women's Badminton - Doubles Gold Medal Final; Women's Handball - France vs. Norway; Men's Weightlifting; Women's Table Tennis - Team Semifinal; Women's Water Polo - Netherlands vs. Australia and Hungary vs. Greece

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Equestrian - Jumping Competition; Tennis Semifinal

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Swimming Gold Medal Finals; Women's Volleyball; Women's Gymnastics - Individual All-Around Competition; 8 a.m.-Noon Women's Soccer (LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Boxing; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC, & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Women's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6 a.m.-6 p.m. Women's games

President Bush poses for a photo with the United States women's field hockey team. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTION: Will Shawn Johnson be the next women's gymnastics darling when she competes in the all-around competition and Massachusetts' Dina Rizzo and Kelly Doton take USA's field hockey to the field in pool play. Also, Michael Phelps goes for gold medal No. 6 in Beijing when he competes in the 200-meter individual medley (10:45 p.m., NBC).

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Swimming; Beach Volleyball; Rowing Semifinals; Canoeing Whitewater; 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Women's Gymnastics - Individual All-Around Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Swimming (LIVE): Gold Medal Finals; Beach Volleyball; Men's Volleyball - USA vs. Bulgaria; 1:35-2:30 a.m. Swimming; Canoeing Whitewater Gold Medal Final

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4:30 a.m. Softball - USA vs. Canada (LIVE); Boxing (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Men's Basketball - USA vs. Greece (LIVE); Baseball - USA vs. Netherlands; Tennis; Beach Volleyball; Women's Field Hockey - USA vs. Germany; Women's Fencing - Team Sabre Competition and Gold Medal Final; Women's Archery - Individual Gold Medal Final

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Men's Basketball - Argentina Game (LIVE) and Russia vs. Lithuania (LIVE); Men's Volleyball - China vs. Japan (LIVE) and Brazil vs. Russia; Greco Roman Wrestling; Beach Volleyball; Men's Handball - France vs. Croatia; Men's Water Polo - Hungary vs. Spain; Badminton; Table Tennis Team Competition

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Tennis - Semifinals; Equestrian - Team Dressage Gold Medal Final

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Swimming; Men's Basketball; Men's Gymnastics - Individual All-Around Competition; 8-10 a.m. Diving - Synchronized Gold Medal Final; Beach Volleyball; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Men's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Best of Men's & Women's games

Members of the US men's gymnastics team (left to right): Kai Wen Tan, Alexander Armetev, Joey Hagerty, Raj Bhavsar and Jonathan Horton. (Kazuhiro Nogi / Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTION: Which American man can carry the individual mantle of winning gold in the gymnastics all around? New England Revolution's Michael Parkhurst will attempt to lead the US soccer team past Nigeria in pool play.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Beach Volleyball (LIVE); Swimming; Women's Water Polo - USA vs. Italy; 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Men's Gymnastics - Individual All-Around Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Swimming (LIVE) Finals; Beach Volleyball - USA Match (LIVE); Men's Diving - Springboard Synchronized Gold Medal Final; Women's Cycling - Individual Time Trial; 1:35-2 a.m. Women's Swimming; Men's Water Polo - USA vs. Serbia

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-5 a.m. Softball - USA vs. Australia (LIVE); Boxing; 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Men's Soccer - USA vs. Nigeria (LIVE) and China vs. Brazil (LIVE); Women's Basketball - USA vs. Mali (LIVE); Women's Water Polo - Hungary vs. Australia; Rowing Semifinals (LIVE); Badminton Semifinals; Table Tennis Team Competition; Canoeing Whitewater Competition

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Baseball - USA vs. South Korea; Women's Volleyball; Tennis; Men's Cycling Individual Time Trial; Greco Roman Wrestling

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Tennis; Equestrian - Team Dressage

TELEMUNDO
2-7 a.m. Men's Soccer - South Korea vs. Honduras (LIVE); Swimming - Gold Medal Finals; Women's Volleyball; Beach Volleyball; 7:30 a.m.-Noon Men's Soccer - China vs. Brazil (LIVE); Women's Gymnastics - Team Gold Medal Final; Diving - Synchronized Gold Medal Final; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Women's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
5 a.m.-7 p.m. Men's games

Alicia Sacramone performs on the balance beam during the women's qualification rounds Sunday. (AP)

STAR ATTRACTION: Winchester native Alicia Sacramone hopes to help her team secure the gold in the women's team gymnastics competition and Michael Phelps looks to win two medals on the day.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Beach Volleyball (LIVE); Swimming; Men's Water Polo - USA vs. Italy; Canoeing Whitewater Gold Medal Finals; 8 p.m.-Midnight Women's Gymnastics - Team Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Swimming (LIVE): Beach Volleyball (LIVE); Women's Diving - Platform Synchronized Gold Medal Final; Rowing; 12:35-2 a.m. Women's Volleyball - USA vs. Venezuela; Swimming

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4:30 a.m. Softball - USA vs. Venezuela (LIVE); Boxing (LIVE); 5-8 p.m. Boxing

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon Men's Basketball - USA vs. Angola (LIVE); Tennis; Rowing (LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Women's Field Hockey - USA vs. Japan (LIVE); Badminton; Men's Handball - Spain vs. Poland

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Men's Basketball - China vs. Spain (LIVE); Women's Soccer - USA vs. New Zealand (LIVE) and Nigeria vs. Brazil; Men's Greco Roman Wrestling; Men's Volleyball - Serbia vs. Brazil; Tennis; Badminton Round of 16 Competition; Men's Weightlifting 69kg Competition; Men's Water Polo - Serbia vs. Croatia

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. Equestrian - Eventing Gold Medal Finals

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. Swimming; Men's Gymnastics - Gold Medal Final; Beach Volleyball; 7:30-10 a.m. Women's Soccer - Nigeria vs. Brazil; Midnight-1 a.m. TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Men's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
5 a.m.-5 p.m. Women's games

Raj Bhavsar (above) replaced Paul Hamm on the US men's gymnastics team. (AP)

STAR ATTRACTION: America's men's gymnastics team looks to earn a medal without the services of the Hamm brothers. Plus, American Michael Phelps goes for his third gold medal of the Games in the 200-meter freestyle.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Beach Volleyball (LIVE); Swimming; Rowing; Canoeing Whitewater Competition

8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. -- Men's Gymnastics - Team Gold Medal Final (LIVE); Swimming (LIVE): Gold Medal Finals: Men's 200-meter Freestyle, 100-meter Backstroke; Women's 100-meter Backstroke, 100-meter Breaststroke and Men's 200-meter Butterfly Semifinal; Beach Volleyball - USA Match (LIVE); Men's Diving - Platform Synchronized Gold Medal Final

1:05-2:30 a.m. -- Men's Volleyball - USA vs. Italy (LIVE); Swimming - Semifinals Women's 200-meter Freestyle and 200-meter Individual Medley

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4:30 a.m. -- Tennis; Boxing 57kg, 60kg Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

5-8 p.m. -- Boxing 57kg, 60kg Competition

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-Noon -- Women's Basketball - USA vs. China (LIVE); Women's Volleyball - Brazil vs. Russia; Women's Water Polo - USA vs. China (LIVE) and Hungary vs. Netherlands; Beach Volleyball; Rowing (LIVE); Men's Archery - Team Gold Medal Final

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Women's Basketball - Australia vs. Brazil (LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Women's Handball - South Korea vs. Germany; Women's Volleyball - China vs. Poland; Men's and Women's Badminton Singles Competition; Women's Water Polo - Russia vs. Italy; Men's Weightlifting 62kg Gold Medal Final; Tennis

OXYGEN
6-8 p.m. -- Equestrian - Eventing Cross Country

TELEMUNDO
2-6 a.m. -- Swimming - Gold Medal Finals; Women's Volleyball; Women's Gymnastics

8-10 a.m. -- Women's Diving - Springboard Synchronized Gold Medal Final; Beach Volleyball; Midnight-1 a.m. -- TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. -- Women's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Best of Men's & Women's games

The quest begins for the "Redeem Team" of USA men's basketball.

STAR ATTRACTIONS: LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony look to put USA back on top of the basketball world as it opens its road to the gold medal. The Americans will face Yao Ming and the Chinese in the opener. Swimmer Michael Phelps is expected to go for his a gold medal and Rhode Island's Elizabeth Beisel seeks gold in the women's 400 Individual Medley.

TV SCHEDULE:
NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Men's Basketball - USA vs. China (LIVE); Swimming; Beach Volleyball; Men's Water Polo - USA vs. China; Women's Cycling Road Race; Women's Weightlifting - 53kg Gold Medal Final; Men's & Women's Badminton; Rowing

7 p.m.-Midnight -- Swimming (LIVE): Gold Medal Finals: Men's 100-meter Breaststroke, Men's 4x100-meter Freestyle Relay, Women's 100-meter Butterfly, Women's 400-meter Freestyle; Men's 200-meter Freestyle semifinals; Men's 100-meter Backstroke semifinals; Women's 100-meter Backstroke semifinals and Women's 100-meter Breaststroke semifinals; Women's Gymnastics Team Competition; Women's Diving - Springboard Synchronized Gold Medal Final; Men's and Women's Rowing - Eights Competition

12:35-2 a.m. -- Women's Volleyball - USA vs. Cuba (LIVE)

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight-4:30 a.m. -- Tennis (LIVE); Boxing 64kg, 69kg Competition (LIVE)

4-7 p.m. -- Boxing 64kg, 69kg Competition

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Men's Soccer - USA vs. Netherlands (LIVE) and Argentina vs. Australia; Men's Basketball - Lithuania vs. Argentina (LIVE); Tennis (LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Equestrian - Dressage; Women's Archery - Team Gold Medal Final; Men's Weightlifting 56kg Gold Medal Final

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Men's Soccer - Italy vs. South Korea (LIVE); Men's Volleyball - Serbia vs. Russia and Bulgaria vs. China; Women's Field Hockey - USA vs. Argentina (LIVE); Men's Shooting - Trap Gold Medal Final; Men's Water Polo - Hungary vs. Montenegro and Croatia vs. Italy; Badminton; Men's Handball - Croatia vs. Spain

TELEMUNDO
4 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Men's Soccer - Argentina vs. Australia (LIVE) and New Zealand vs. Brazil; Men's Volleyball; Swimming - Gold Medal Finals; Men's Basketball; Men's Gymnastics; Beach Volleyball

6-7 p.m. -- Boxing Elimination Bouts

Midnight-1 a.m. -- TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. -- Men's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
5 a.m.-7 p.m. -- Men's games

Michael Phelps begins his quest for eight golds.(Mark Dadswell / Getty Images)

STAR ATTRACTIONS: Swimmer Michael Phelps will begin his quest for a record eight gold medal in the 400-meter Individual Medley. Former UConn star Sue Bird leads the Americans in their journey for gold on the basketball court.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
10 a.m.-6 p.m. -- Women's Volleyball - USA vs. Japan (LIVE); Swimming; Beach Volleyball - USA Match; Men's Cycling - Road Race; Women's Fencing - Individual Sabre Gold Medal Final; Rowing;

8 p.m.-Midnight -- Swimming (LIVE): Gold Medal Finals: Men's 400-meter Freestyle, 400-meter Individual Medley; Women's 400-meter Individual Medley, 4x100-meter Freestyle Relay; Men's 100 breaststroke semifinals (LIVE); Women's 100-meter Butterfly semifinals (LIVE); Beach Volleyball - USA Match (LIVE); Men's Gymnastics Team Competition

12:30-2 a.m. -- Men's Volleyball - USA vs. Venezuela (LIVE)

USA and USA HD
2 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Women's Soccer - USA vs. Japan (LIVE) and Canada vs. China; Women's Basketball - USA vs. Czech Republic (LIVE); Equestrian - Eventing Dressage; Beach Volleyball; Women's Fencing - Individual Sabre Gold Medal Final; Women's Shooting - Air Rifle Gold Medal Final; Badminton Singles Competition; Women's Weightlifting - Flyweight Gold Medal Final

CNBC and CNBC HD
2-4:30 a.m. -- Boxing 75kg, 81kg Competition (LIVE)

5-8 p.m. -- Boxing 75kg, 81kg Competition

MSNBC
5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Women's Soccer - Nigeria vs. Germany (LIVE) and Brazil vs. North Korea (LIVE); Women's Volleyball - Italy vs. Russia and Poland vs. Cuba; Women's Handball - France vs. Angola and Russia vs. South Korea; Badminton Singles Competition

TELEMUNDO
7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. -- Women's Soccer - USA vs. Japan (LIVE); Beach Volleyball; Boxing; Women's Volleyball

6-8 p.m. -- Beach Volleyball; Boxing; Midnight-1 a.m. -- TBA

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
2:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. -- Women's games

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Women's games

Having trouble keeping tabs on when your favorite Olympic events will be shown on TV? You’re not alone. With NBC spreading its coverage over a number of different channels, it can be difficult to find what you’re looking for. You can check out our complete Olympics TV schedule as a starting point, but here’s a general overview of which channels will be showing which events, and at what times (information provided by the Globe’s Joanna Weiss).

STANDARD MONDAY-FRIDAY SCHEDULE
While times may vary from day to day, a standard weekday schedule is below (For more information, check NBCOlympics.com or local listings)

By Network (all times Eastern):

NBC
Live coverage of all 32 swimming gold medal finals; four key nights of men’s and women’s gymnastics led by the women’s and men’s team gold medal finals, as well as the women’s and men’s individual gold.

Broadcast times:
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Midnight – 1:30 a.m.

MSNBC
Weekday, long-form coverage of a full range of Olympic sports, including softball, soccer, beach volleyball, wrestling, basketball, volleyball and weightlifting.

Broadcast times:
5 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CNBC
Long-form coverage of Olympic boxing from 5-8 p.m. ET. From midnight-4:30 a.m. on most nights, CNBC will have expanded, long-form coverage of a wide variety of Olympic sports such as softball, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and badminton.

Broadcast times:
Midnight – 4:30 a.m.
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

USA Network
Coverage of the USA men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams.

Broadcast times:
2 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Oxygen
A daily recap at gymnastics, in addition to equestrian and tennis.

Broadcast times:
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Telemundo
Live men's and women's soccer, basketball, gymnastics, diving, volleyball, as well as track and field, swimming and baseball.

Broadcast times:
2:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Midnight – 1:00 a.m.

Chronological overview of coverage:
CNBC: Midnight – 4:30 a.m.
TELEMUNDO: 2:00 a.m.-6:00a.m.
USA: 2 a.m. – 12 p.m.
MSNBC: 5 a.m. – 5 p.m.
TELEMUNDO: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
NBC: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
CNBC: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
OXYGEN: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
NBC: 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
TELEMUNDO: Midnight – 1:00 a.m.
NBC: Midnight – 1:30 a.m. (late night show)

Fireworks are displayed over the National Stadium during the second dress rehearsal of the 2008 Olympic Games. (Getty Images)

Perpetual smog be damned. Fireworks, like the ones seen above during a dress rehearsal, will light the Beijing sky Friday at the Opening Ceremonies for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. National pride takes center stage as athletes enter the National Stadium totting their country's flag as the Olympics officially launch.

TV SCHEDULE:

NBC and NBC HD
8 p.m.-Midnight -- Opening Ceremonies

The US men's soccer team opens group play Thursday against Japan. (Justine Hunt / Globe File Photo)

Freddy Adu (AP)

It's Day 2 of the Olympic Games and, without further adu (Get it? Like Freddy Adu, left), men's soccer steps to the forefront as the only action of the day. Check out our daily Olympic snapshot below for all the details and TV listings:

STAR ATTRACTION: After not qualifying for competition in Athens, the US men's soccer team takes the field to open group play against Japan. "I know a lot of people aren't giving us much of a chance to get out of the group, and we know that," said midfielder Freddy Adu. "But people have said that about American teams in the past and we've been able to prove them wrong." As John Powers wrote in Wednesday's editions of the Globe: "The 2000 squad, which featured the likes of Brad Friedel, Jeff Agoos, John O'Brien, and Frankie Hejduk, made it to the semifinals before losing to silver medalist Spain and ended up a respectable fourth. But after failing to qualify for the first time in 28 years in 2004, the Olympic team fell off the radar." The road to redemption beings Thursday.

TV SCHEDULE:

MSNBC
4:30-7 a.m. -- Men's Soccer, USA vs. Japan (LIVE); Telemundo, 4:30-7 a.m. -- Men's Soccer, Honduras vs. Italy (LIVE); 7:30-10 a.m. -- Men's Soccer, Ivory Coast vs. Argentina (LIVE); Universal HD, 4:30-7 a.m. -- Men's Soccer, USA vs. Japan (Simulcast); NBC Olympic Soccer Channel

5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Men's games

The US women's soccer team at practice in July. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

Are you ready for some futbol?

As NBC's advertising has undoubtedly made you aware, the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing will take place on August 8, 2008, but the Games commence Wednesday with first-round group-play action in women's soccer. Check out our daily Olympic snapshot for all the details and TV listings:

US vs. Norway in July. (AP)

STAR ATTRACTION: The United States women's soccer team opens defense of its Olympic title against Norway, the only other country to win a gold medal in the sport. The US already boasts a pair of 4-0 wins over Norway this year, but they're not looking past their opening-round opponent. "Friendlies don't really mean anything," said United States defender Kate Markgraf. "What matters is how you're playing during the Olympics."

TV SCHEDULE: MSNBC, 7:30-10 a.m. -- Women's Soccer, United States vs. Norway (LIVE); Universal HD, 7:30-10 a.m. -- Women's Soccer, United States vs. Norway (Simulcast); NBC Olympic Soccer Channel, 5 a.m.-5 p.m. -- Women's games.