NBC Olympics Schedule 2016: Full TV Coverage, Live Stream for Summer Events
The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro presents a worldwide platform for athletes to become household names or bolster their already legendary reputations.
Michael Phelps, Serena Williams and a bevy of basketball studs already have all the accolades and adoration, but the Summer Games shine by showcasing top competitors from sports that Americans haven't fervently followed for four years.
Some familiar names will seek more gold, while up-and-comers look to invade the national spotlight in style. Let's take a look at some at some intriguing athletes and teams to watch in Rio.
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| Saturday, August 6 | ||
| Rowing, Cycling (Men's Road Race), Water Polo | 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | NBC |
| Archery, Shooting, Beach Volleyball | 9 a.m. - noon | NBCSN |
| Tennis | 9:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Bravo |
| Cycling (Men's Road Race), Swimming | 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | NBC |
| Volleyball, Rugby | Noon - 1 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Beach Volleyball, Handball | Noon - 2:30 p.m. | MSNBC |
| Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Water Polo | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Women's Soccer (USA vs. France) | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Field Hockey (USA vs. Argentina) | 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | USA |
| Volleyball (USA vs. Puerto Rico) | 4:15 p.m. - 6 p.m. | NBC |
| Rugby, Soccer | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | CNBC |
| Men's Basketball (USA vs. China) | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Gymnastics, Swimming, Beach Volleyball | 8 p.m. - midnight | NBC |
| Sunday, August 7 | ||
| Beach Volleyball, Archery | 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. | NBCSN |
| Tennis | 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. | Bravo |
| Beach Volleyball, Rowing, Cycling (Women's Road Race) | 10 a.m. - noon | NBC |
| Rugby, Volleyball | Noon - 2 p.m. | USA |
| Swimming, Cycling (Women's Road Race) | Noon - 3 p.m. | NBC |
| Beach Volleyball, Equestrian, Fencing | 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. | MSNBC |
| Men's Volleyball (USA vs. Canada) | 4:15 p.m. - 6 p.m. | NBC |
| Archery, Men's Basketball | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Diving, Gymnastics, Swimming | 7 p.m. - midnight | NBC |
| Swimming, Cycling (Women's Road Race) | Noon - 3 p.m. | NBC |
| Beach Volleyball, Equestrian, Fencing | 2:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. | MSNBC |
| Men's Volleyball (USA vs. Canada) | 4:15 p.m. - 6 p.m. | NBC |
| Archery, Men's Basketball | 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Diving, Gymnastics, Swimming | 7 p.m. - midnight | NBC |
For the full schedule of events televised on NBC and other NBCUniversal affiliates, check out NBCOlympics.com, where a live stream is also available.
Simone Biles Leads Stacked Gymnastics Squad
The Olympics haven't even started, but Simone Biles is already generating massive buzz as this summer's breakout star.
Victory is viewed as a foregone conclusion for the 19-year-old world champion, who hasn't lost an all-around event in three years. Although one of the Summer Games' shortest participants at 4'9", she is projected to tower over everyone with unmatched aerial grace.
In Lars Anderson's feature for Bleacher Report on the teenager who is poised to captivate the world, former U.S. national team coordinator Bela Karolyi set the bar so high that even Biles will struggle to clear it:
"Simone has the ability to be the greatest gymnast in the history of the sport. She has more power and athleticism than anyone before her, and it's not even close. She can do things that other past champions couldn't have dreamed of even attempting. She's on a completely different level. The world has never seen anything like her.
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It's not just Biles establishing the United States as the heavy favorite. After earning two gold medals in London apiece, Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman comprise a deep cast.
"You could probably send an entire second team of U.S. gymnasts to Rio and they would win silver behind the first team," seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller told Anderson. "That's how far in front the U.S. is in women's gymnastics right now."
Four years ago, the Fierce Five stole the show in London. The returns of Douglas and Raisman won't receive as much attention behind Biles, but expect an even superior women's gymnastics team to command the limelight once again.
U.S. Women's Soccer Seeks Repeat
Gold is nothing new for the U.S. women's national soccer team, which has won the last three times and four of five events since the Olympics opened the division in 1996. Another first-place finish, however, would mark the first time a women's squad has won the World Cup and Olympic gold in consecutive years.
The USWNT started its title defense strong on Wednesday, beating New Zealand 2-0 behind goals from Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd. As ESPN Stats & Info noted, Lloyd's score moved her one step closer to setting a national milestone:
On Saturday, Lloyd will lead the U.S. into a fierce showdown against France, who clobbered Colombia in a 4-0 triumph. While the two top contenders meet early, the preliminary matchup will likely matter only in terms of bragging rights.
As ESPN Stats & Info's Paul Carr indicated, both powerhouses are near locks to advance past Group G to the quarterfinals:
Yet the contest presents the Americans' first true test without Abby Wambach. A World Cup victory made them national darlings, so few events will draw more scrutiny over the next few weeks.
Kerri Walsh Jennings Goes for Fourth Gold Medal
A Summer Olympics staple, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor paired up to win three consecutive gold medals in beach volleyball. Only half of the dominant duo will return in Rio, where Walsh Jennings will fight for another prize with a new partner.
May-Treanor retired after their last Olympics hurrah in London, and her confidant didn't search far for a new teammate. Walsh Jennings turned to former opponent April Ross, who settled for silver four years ago with Jennifer Kessy.
Per USA Today's Josh Peter, Walsh Jennings expressed full confidence in her new ally.
“April and I are just in sync," she said. "And that to me is the most fun, when you’re taking on the world with your teammate, just full knowing—not even full faith, just full knowing—that we have the capability to kick butt and take whatever people dish out at us.’’
Set to turn 38 during the Summer Games, Walsh Jennings underwent her fifth shoulder surgery last year. Yet she recovered in time to qualify with Ross, who will have a heavy burden to carry. Not only does she have to manage the pressure of teaming with an Olympic icon, but her partner is less than one year removed from a major procedure.
The duo remains a prominent medal contender, but gold is far from the virtual lock it was when Walsh Jennings and May used to step on the sand.
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