NBC Sports Olympics Schedule 2012: Start Times for Biggest Events on Day 6

As Day 6 of the 2012 Olympics gets underway, it is safe to say that NBC's coverage of the Games has made life much easier for viewers, even if the network does occasionally give out the results for an event minutes prior to it being shown on television or not airing an event live. 

It should go without saying, but NBC has really made the Olympics into a much bigger event for American fans than it otherwise would be. It would still be huge, don't get me wrong, but given the analysis and insight we get, it is much easier to navigate. 

Thursday will be a very big day from London, with a number of notable finals and medal events on the docket. 

Here is a look at the start times for the biggest events on NBC for Thursday. For a full schedule of events on Day 6, click here. 

(Note: Television coverage will be in bold, start time of the event will be in italics.)

Swimming (Coverage on NBC starting at 8 p.m. EDT)

2:40 p.m. EDT: Women's 200-Meter Breaststroke Final

2:48 p.m. EDT: Men's 200-Meter Backstroke Final

3:19 p.m. EDT: Men's 200-Meter Individual Medley Final

3:37 p.m. EDT: Women's 100-Meter Freestyle Final

A huge day for swimming, with four medal events. American Ryan Lochte goes for his third gold medal of these Games in the 200-meter backstroke. He wanted these Games to be about his ascension to the top of the swimming mountain, and a victory in that event would put him squarely in the mix for the top spot. 

Of course, all eyes will be on the 200-meter individual medley with Lochte and Phelps going head-to-head once again. If there is only one event that you can watch, you would be hard-pressed to find a more engrossing one than that. 

Archery (Coverage on NBC Sports Network at 2:20 p.m. EDT)

10:21 a.m. EDT: Women's Individual Bronze-Medal Match

10:37 a.m. EDT: Women's Individual Gold-Medal Match

Thursday is a very big day for the female archers, as the Round of 16 begins at 4 a.m. EDT and continues all morning until the two medal matches. 

Ki Bo-Bae from South Korea has been dominant in the early rounds, so we will see if she can keep her momentum going. 

Men's Volleyball (Coverage on NBC at 3 p.m. EDT)

3 p.m. EDT: USA vs. Brazil

It may only be a qualifying match, but USA vs. Brazil has the potential to be one of the best events on Day 6. 

Four years ago in Beijing, these two teams met in the final of this event. On that day, the United States captured its first gold medal in men's volleyball since 1988. 

Brazil has been at or near the top in this event for years, winning gold in 2004 and silver in 2008. Expect a very close, hotly-contested matchup between two of the best in the world. 

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