Olympics 2012 Schedule: Day 6 Event Guide, Athletes to Watch, TV Info & More

As we reach Day 6 of the 2012 Summer Olympics, more and more gold medals are being handed out.

On Thursday there is going to be a heavy spotlight in the pool and on the mats once again.

In men’s swimming, the Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte rivalry will be renewed in the 200-meter Individual Medley final. Both swimmers have been inconsistent, but it seems as if Phelps has kicked it up a notch in the last two days. Will Lochte follow suit?

The women’s gymnastics all-around final is Thursday night, in what has to be one of the most anticipated events of the entire Olympic Games. The Americans will have two shots at gold with both Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas participating.

With plenty of boxing, tennis and the U.S. men’s basketball team in action against Nigeria, it’s a day full of intriguing events that are worth your attention. 

Event Info

*All Times ET

You can browse the full TV schedule here.

Archery: Women’s Eliminations

TV: 2:20-3 p.m. (NBC SN)

Badminton:  Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals

TV: 4-4:30 p.m. (MSNBC)

Beach Volleyball: Men’s Preliminary Pool E Matches

TV: 12:30-1:30 p.m. (NBC SN)

Boxing: Men’s Light (60kg) Round of 16

TV: 3-4 a.m. (CNBC), 3-4:45 p.m. (NBC SN), 5-8 p.m. (CNBC)

Cycling: Women’s Team Sprint Qualifying

TV: 1:45-2:20 p.m. (NBC)

Field Hockey: Women’s Pool A

TV: 5:45-7:15 a.m. (NBC SN)

Gymnastics: Women’s All-Around Final

TV: 9-1 p.m. (NBC)

Handball: Men’s Preliminaries Group B

TV: 2:30-4 p.m. (MSNBC), 5-6 p.m. (MSNBC)

Judo: Men (100 kg) Elimination Round of 32

TV: 4:30-5 p.m. (MSNBC)

Men’s Basketball: Preliminary Group A Play

TV: 4-5:45 a.m. (NBC SN), 6:15-8 a.m. (NBC Specialty), 9:30-11:45 a.m. (NBC Specialty), 3-5:15 p.m. (NBC Specialty), U.S.A. vs. Nigeria 5:15-7:15 p.m. (NBC SN)   

Men’s Volleyball: Group Play

TV: 7:15-8:45 a.m. (NBC SN), 8:45-9:35 a.m. (NBC SN), 4-6 p.m. (NBC), U.S.A. vs. Czech Republic 9-1 p.m. (NBC)

Rowing: Women’s Eights, Women’s Single Sculls Semifinals

TV: 3:20-4 p.m. (NBC), 9-1 p.m. (NBC)

Shooting: Double Trap Men’s Qualification

TV: 4:45-5:15 p.m. (NBC SN)

Swimming: Men’s 200 Backstroke Final, Men’s 200 IM Final, Women’s 200 Breaststroke Final, Women’s 100 Freestyle Final

TV: 9-1 p.m. (NBC)

Table Tennis: Men’s Singles Semifinals

TV: 1:30-2:20 p.m. (NBC SN)

Tennis: Men‘s and Women’s Singles and Doubles

TV: 7-3 p.m. (Bravo)

Water Polo: Men’s Preliminary Round Group A

TV: 9-11:45 a.m. (MSNBC), 2:20-3:20 p.m. (NBC)

Athletes to Watch

Gabby Douglas, Gymnastics

The 16-year-old from Virginia was the gymnast who knocked Jordyn Wieber out of contention for the all-around final on Sunday.

Now the pressure is squarely on Douglas’ shoulders to show her country that she did indeed deserve to take America’s second spot in the final alongside Aly Raisman.

The pressure is going to be sky-high. Now you know why gymnastics is such a T.V. ratings driver.

Ryan Lochte, Swimming

He has struggled of late, but has a shot to drape two gold medals around his neck on Thursday night.

He’ll be participating in both the 200-meter backstroke and 200-meter IM in primetime, and will be considered one of the favorites in each event.

He narrowly edged out Michael Phelps in the semi-final on Wednesday in the 200-meter IM, and the final is sure to bring another thrilling chapter to this friendly rivalry.

Jose Ramirez, Boxing

The 19-year-old from Hartford Connecticut is one of the last remaining hopes for an American medal in boxing. Ramirez is a rising star in the sport, and making a deep run in the next few days would do wonders for his career back in the states.

Wednesday was a brutal day for the Americans as the country went winless, but all hope is not lost just yet.

He’ll be boxing Fazliddin Gaibnazarov of Uzbekistan at roughly 4 p.m. in a bout that should go down to the wire.

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter.