TODAY’S TOP EVENTS
SWIMMING Phelps and Lochte dive right in The top rivalry of the Games gets going on the first day as Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte meet in the 400 individual medley. Phelps has said he doesn’t like the 400 IM, but that didn’t stop him from entering it. It will be one of two races he goes against Lochte. Phelps won eight gold medals in Beijing but is entered in only seven events in London.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Quest for another gold begins The U.S. women’s team opens pool play with a game against Croatia. Well, it actually probably won’t be much of a game. The U.S. women have not lost in 20 years, winning 33 consecutive games. Not much is expected to change after they defeated their four warmup opponents by an average of 32.5 points.
MEN’S GYMNASTICS Nothing routine about it Men’s team qualification starts with the U.S. hoping to be in contention for a team medal. They looked good leading up to the Games but had a bad practice earlier this week, giving pause to their medal hopes. The U.S. is in the same rotation as the dominant Japanese team. The men will also be qualifying for the apparatus finals.
CYCLING: MEN’S ROAD RACE One for the home team? This should yield Great Britain its first medal of the Games, maybe even a gold. Mark Cavendish is considered by many as the one to beat in this 155-mile race. The race starts and finishes at the Mall in Central London. Also competing for Britain will be Bradley Wiggins, the winner of this year’s Tour de France. Tyler Farrar is the best medal hope for the U.S.