Winter Olympics 2014 Schedule: Biggest Events to Watch in Sochi Games
There's something for everyone to enjoy during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Not a hockey fan? Try figure skating on for size. That's not your cup of tea either? Maybe luge or snowboarding is more your speed.
Any given day of Olympic coverage bestows nonstop action spanning multiple different sports, so there's no shortage of options for the eager viewer. If anything, the challenge stems from identifying which events to watch.
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Luckily there's plenty of information available to plan your viewing schedule. The full schedule, also with the complete TV listings, can be viewed on NBCOlympics.com.
Just so you don't miss the big ones, here are three of the most notable displays in Sochi to mark down on the calendar.
2014 Winter Olympics Info
Where: Sochi, Russia
When: Thursday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 23
Watch: NBC, NBC Sports, USA, MSNBC, CNBC
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com
Biggest Events to Watch:
Figure Skating: Team Events (Sunday at 10 a.m. on NBC Sports)
If individual glory wasn't enough to fuel Olympic figure skating, a team element now sweetens the pot.
Each qualifying country sends one representative to participate in a short program. Based on the results, each country is awarded points, giving 10 to the best performer and one to the worst. At the end, we have three more medals to dole out.
After Saturday's happenings, Russia led the way with 47 points, finishing first in three of the five events. Canada rated second with 41 points, while the U.S. came in at a distant third with a score of 34.
The team portion culminates on Sunday with three more events: the men's free dance, women's free dance and mixed free dance. Barring a collapse, Russia should at least earn silver, but one poor performance could ruin everyone's chance at glory.
Following Jeremy Abbott's underwhelming seventh-place finish, the U.S. is fortunate to be in the medal hunt after a strong showing from the women. Gracie Gold has a chance to win over the U.S. crowd, while Meryl Davis and Charlie White will look to carry the team again after finishing first in the team short dance.
Men's Hockey: USA vs. Russia (Sat., Feb. 15 at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBC Sports)
Do you believe in miracles? No, too cheesy? How about an intriguing hockey game between two great teams gunning for gold?
While Americans will paint Russians as the bulking villains again to hype the underdog narrative, the supposed antagonists have the home fans on their sides. Also, Russia has never won a gold medal with NHL players.
There's a first for everything, however, and this squad has all the goods to push for the title.
Ilya Kovalchuk, who left the New Jersey Devils and a lucrative contract behind to return home, will lead the team alongside scoring machine Alex Ovechkin, who has netted 40 goals for the Washington Capitals this season.
They'll deal with ample pressure to claim the gold in Sochi. As the Toronto Sun's Chris Stevenson worded it, "Russian president Vladimir Putin has pretty much built a $50-billion stage for the hockey team."
But this time around, the U.S. is not composed of overmatched amateurs. After pushing Canada to the brink four years ago, Team USA will return with David Backes and Patrick Kane leading the brigade.
This game could go a long way in determining who plays for the gold later in February. And for those unable to wake up so early, NBC Sports will air an encore showing later in the day.
Speedskating: Men's 1,000 meters (Sat., Feb. 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC tape delay)
The men's 1,000-meter race will truly begin at 9:00 a.m. ET, but it won't air until later that evening. If only the technology existed to air things live. How cool would that be?
Since the Internet exists, we'll know the results well before NBC shows the event, but Shani Davis' attempt at making history is still worth watching.
The long-track speedskater can become the first U.S. male Olympian to win the same event three straight times, a feat that would cement his status as an Olympic legend.
Despite the huge potential accomplishment that lies ahead, Davis has maintained perspective of all he has already achieved. From the Associated Press, via The Washington Post:
"You train really hard. You try really hard to win. If you win, great. If you don't, you tried your best. You really can't beat yourself up about it. There are so many people that train all their lives to win something or even just to get here, and a lot of people come away empty-handed. I'll say it again: I'm very blessed to have the things that I have.
"
Davis has become arguably the biggest U.S. Winter Olympics star, so his quest for history looms over the Games as a top storyline.
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