NBC Olympic 2012 Schedule: Events That Will Captivate Audiences

With the London Games about halfway through, many of the best events are behind us, but there are still tons of compelling contests remaining. Not all of them can be viewed live on television, but NBC will air them all at one time or another whether it be as they happen or on tape delay during the primetime broadcast.

Whether you know the results ahead of time or not, some events are so transcendent that you simply have to see them regardless. With plenty of track and field, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, basketball and other sports left on the program, there is certainly enough to keep you busy.

Here are three of the most captivating competitions remaining and when you can view them on NBC:

Men's 100-Meter Dash Final (Sunday, Aug. 5 from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. ET NBC Primetime)

The men's 100-meter dash is arguably the marquee event of the Olympics and it will take place on Sunday. Defending Olympic champion Usain Bolt is the favorite, but Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake could give him a run for his money, as could a pair of Americans in Tyson Gay and Justin Gatlin. Not only will the race be competitive, but the odds of something incredible happening are quite good.

There is just something magical about watching an event that determines the fastest man in the world, and that is the title that the winner will assume. Bolt winning is far from a lock, especially after he false started and was disqualified at the World Championships. A victory would put him right on track for another triple-gold performance, though, so you won't want to miss it.

Women's Singles Tennis Final (Saturday, Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. ET on NBC)

Just a few weeks ago, American tennis star Serena Williams dominated the field to win Wimbledon at All England Club. Tennis fans probably feel like they have a case of deja vu because she is on the verge of winning an Olympic gold medal at the same venue. Serena has mowed through top players like Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, and she will take on Russian Maria Sharapova for Olympic supremacy.

Not only has Serena not dropped a set, but she hasn't lost more than three games in a single set thus far. Sharapova has been impressive as well, but nowhere near the level of Williams. Both players have career Grand Slams, but have failed to grab an elusive Olympic gold, so history will be made regardless of who wins. My guess is that Serena continues her incredible run and adds a singles gold to her doubles gold from Beijing.

Women's Gymnastics Vault Final (Sunday, Aug. 5 from 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. ET NBC Primetime)

The United States reigned supreme in the women's team and all-around gymnastics competitions and they will look to do the same during the individual events. Arguably, the most exciting apparatus in gymnastics is the vault. Team USA used that to get a leg up on the competition in the team final, and is the overwhelming favorite for individual gold. McKayla Maroney will be the one who represents the red, white and blue as she is the reigning world champion in the event.

Maroney blew away the competition in vault qualifying and performed one of the best vaults you will ever see in the team event. She didn't receive a perfect score, but she did earn a large chunk of her incredible 16.500 difficulty. Maroney made the team based solely on her vaulting and watching her make good on her immense promise should be a feel-good moment.

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