Olympics Live Stream 2012: Under-the-Radar Events to Tune in to
The summer Olympics put over 30 sports' best athletes on display for the world to watch.
Millions will be tuning in to catch all of the action in fan-favorite sports such as basketball, soccer, swimming and gymnastics.
They are great sports to watch on TV and will provide the bulk of NBC’s ratings.
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Then there are the less-than-glamorous sports. I’m talking archery, table tennis, equestrian, field hockey and rowing—sports that may be fun to play or compete in but don’t translate well to viewers watching on the other side of the world.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t certain sports that are actually a thrill to watch yet have received little fanfare over the years for various reasons.
That’s time to change.
It’s time to highlight Olympic events that are actually quite exhilarating, yet don’t get nearly the credit they deserve.
Here are the three most underrated Olympic sports sure to grab your attention in the next two weeks.
Boxing
Just because Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather aren’t involved doesn’t mean there isn’t some incredible boxing lined up in London.
There are 13 tournaments (one for each weight class) that feature boxers in the light flyweight division who weigh as little as 108 pounds, all the way up to the super heavyweight division, where weights extend well beyond the 201-pound minimum. There are three weight classes on the women’s side as well.
The top boxers in the world fight in the 130-150 range, so the Olympics are one of the only opportunities to see such a drastically different range of size.
Most importantly, the judges aren’t in the back pockets of Vegas promoters and will likely be calling fair fights.
Isn’t that a novel concept?
Sunday, July 29-August 10
For full schedule, check out NBC Sports Olympic Boxing coverage here.
Thursday, August 9
11:30 a.m. Women's Flyweight (112 lbs): Final
11:45 a.m. Women's Lightweight (132 lbs): Final
12:00 p.m. Women's Middleweight (165 lbs): Final
Saturday, August 11
10:30 p.m. Men's Light Fly (108 lbs): Final
10:45 p.m. Men's Bantam (112 lbs): Final
11:15 p.m. Men's Light Welter (141 lbs): Final
11:45 p.m. Men's Middle (165 lbs): Final
12:15 p.m. Men's Heavy (200 lbs): Final
Sunday, August 12
10:30 a.m. Men's Fly (115 lbs): Final
10:45 a.m. Men's Light (132 lbs): Final
11:15 a.m. Men's Welter (152 lbs): Final
11:45 a.m. Men's Light Heavy (179 lbs): Final
5:15 p.m. Men's Super Heavy (200-plus lbs): Final
Trampoline
Only an Olympic sport since 2000, this high-flying event features the sort of aerial acrobatics that are only seen in diving at the Summer Games.
One international coach had this dynamite comparison to help people better understand the event (via riverdeep.net): "Trampolining is to gymnastics what diving is to swimming."
The averaged Olympian gets up to 20 feet high, with each routine having to contain at least one somersault with at least 1.5 revolutions, a double somersault and another one with a full twist.
For anybody that has been on the bouncy object before, you’ll be able to greatly appreciate some of the incredible moves these athletes are able to pull off.
This is an event that translates well on TV.
August 3
9:00 a.m. Men's Qualification
10:26 a.m. Men's Final
August 4
9:00 a.m. Women's Qualification
10:26 a.m. Women's Final
Fencing
The cool thing about this sport is the lack of second chances.
The individual and team events are all one-day single-elimination events.
While you can’t even see the faces of the competitors, the agility, quickness and accuracy is a sight to be seen. One blink at the wrong time and your fate could be sealed.
You won’t recognize any of the names, but it’s a must-see event purely for the fast-paced action that leaves zero room for error.
Sunday, July 29
Men's Individual Sabre
1:50 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
2:10 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Monday, July 30
Women's Individual Epee
2:10 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
2:40 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Tuesday, July 31
Men's Individual Foil
2:10 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
2:40 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Wednesday, August 1
Men's Individual Epee
2:10 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
3 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Women's Individual Sabre
2:40 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
3:30 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Thursday, August 2
Women's Team Foil
1 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
2:15 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Friday, August 3
Men's Team Sabre
1 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
1:45 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Saturday, August 4
Women's Team Epee
1 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
2:15 p.m. Gold Medal Match
Sunday, August 5
Men's Team Foil
1 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
2:15 p.m. Gold Medal Match
For all of your Olympic live streaming needs, check out NBC Sports' official Olympics website.
For the full 2012 Olympics schedule, check out NBC Sports' Olympic coverage.
*All times Eastern
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