Olympic Swimming Schedule 2012: Dates & Times for Biggest Remaining Men's Events

With the 2012 Summer Olympics underway, the excitement over the men’s swimming events is through the aquatic roof.

Not only do the hardcore and casual swimming fans have the intense competition between defending Olympic star Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, there are enough underlying storylines to keep anyone engaged.

With plenty of events yet to come, fans must pay attention to every race and make sure they catch all the wild action firsthand. Don’t be the one that misses out.

Men’s 4x100-meter Medley Relay

While many swimming fans are so-so about relay races, they are the true staple of a team event in swimming; especially a medley.

Team USA has an amazing team made up by Olympic star Michael Phelps, team captain Brendan Hansen, backstroke ace Nick Thoman and Matt Grevers. Together, they make up one of the most dominant teams in the world.

If the men’s team can have a good heat and gain some confidence after Team USA lost their first relay run, there is little doubt that the Americans will be on the podium when it’s over.

Men’s 50-meter freestyle

In what has become the ultimate sprint and the exact opposite of the men’s 1,500-meters, the 50-meter freestyle is a great event if you want to see the most power and speed you could possibly imagine.

The problem is with the 50-meter that the participants expel so much energy that it can ruin them for other events.

Team USA’s best chance at a medal in this event is Cullen Jones. The star is well known for his participation in the 2008 relay team in Beijing that shocked the world, but Jones has proclaimed that 2012 is his chance to "'step up'" under the pressure, per USA Today's Nicole Auerbach.

Men’s 1,500-meter freestyle

In what I consider the most intense swimming event in the 2012 Olympics, the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle is being represented by just two 21-year-old American men—Andrew Gemmell and Connor Jaeger.

While neither was expected to medal, the realization that both could make a splash in the finals is coming to fruition. Of the two, Gemmell seems to have the best chance to swim his way to the podium.

No matter where the two Americans finish in this event, the sheer talent, skill and conditioning required to run this race and finish it is admirable enough.

Men’s Swimming Schedule

Men’s 50-meter freestyle

Heats: Thursday, August 2, 5 a.m. ET

Semifinals: Thursday, August 2, 2:30 p.m. ET

Final: Friday, August 3, 3:09 p.m. ET

Men’s 100-meter freestyle

Heats: Tuesday, July 31, 5 a.m. E.T.

Semifinals: Tuesday, July 31, 2:30 p.m. ET

Final: Wednesday, August 1, 3:17 p.m. ET

Men’s 1500-meter freestyle

Heats: Friday, August 3, 5:23 a.m. ET

Final: Saturday, August 4, 2:36 p.m. ET

Men’s 200-meter backstroke

Heats: Wednesday, August 1, 5:20 a.m. ET

Semifinals: Wednesday, August 1, 2:47 p.m. ET

Final: Thursday, August 2, 2:46 p.m. ET

Men’s 200-meter breaststroke

Heats: Tuesday, July 31, 2:47 a.m. E.T.

Semifinals: Tuesday, July 31, 3:17 p.m. ET

Final: Wednesday, August 1, 2:30 p.m. ET

Men’s 100-meter butterfly

Heats: Thursday, August 2, 6:21 a.m. ET

Semifinals: Thursday, August 2, 3:51 p.m. ET

Final: Friday, August 3, 2:38 p.m. ET

Men’s 200-meter butterfly

Heats: Monday, July 30, 5:25 a.m. ET

Semifinals: Monday, July 30, 3:30 p.m. ET

Finals: Tuesday, July 31, 2:47 p.m. ET

Men’s 200-meter individual medley

Qualification: Wednesday, August 1, 6:14 a.m. ET

Semifinals: Wednesday, August 1, 3:36 p.m. ET

Final: Thursday, August 2, 3:16 p.m. ET

Men’s 4x200-meter Freestyle Relay

Qualification: Tuesday, July 31, 6:17 a.m. ET

Final: Tuesday, July 31, 3:47 p.m. ET

Men’s 4x100-meter Medley Relay

Heats: Friday, August 3, 7:04 a.m. ET

Final: Saturday, August 4, 3:27 p.m. ET

Check back for more on the 2012 Summer Olympics as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s Olympics page to get your fill of the best athletes the world has to offer.

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