Summer Olympics 2016 Schedule: Thursday TV, Live Stream Coverage from Rio
The Olympics have featured some of the biggest names in swimming, cycling, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics to this point.
All of those sports are featured in Thursday's Olympic action from Rio, and so is men's golf.
Golf has not been held as an Olympic sport since 1904, and even though top names like Jason Day and Jordan Spieth are not competing, the international field is compelling.
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Thursday's a can't miss day for fans at the Olympics, and here's a look at the TV schedule that will be featured on NBC and its family of networks.
All events are available to be streamed online at NBCOlympics.com.
| 6:30 a.m. | Men's Golf 1st Round | Golf Channel |
| 8 a.m. | Archery, Beach Volleyball | NBC Sports |
| 9 a.m. | Women's Water Polo (ITA vs. AUS) | USA |
| 9:30 a.m. | Fencing, Judo, Archery | NBC Sports |
| 10 a.m. | Rowing, Women's Water Polo (USA vs. China) | NBC |
| 10:30 a.m. | Table Tennis, Badminton | USA |
| 11 a.m. | Tennis | Bravo |
| 12 p.m. | Swimming | NBC |
| 1 p.m. | Men's Basketball (BRA vs. CRO) | USA |
| 1:30 p.m. | Rugby | NBC Sports |
| 2 p.m. | Men's Volleyball (POL vs. ARG) | MSNBC |
| 2:30 p.m. | Beach Volleyball, Canoe | NBC |
| 2:30 p.m. | Archery, Judo, Beach Volleyball | NBC Sports |
| 3 p.m. | Badminton, Handball | USA |
| 3:30 p.m. | Equestrian, Sailing | MSNBC |
| 5 p.m. | Cycling, Beach Volleyball, Fencing, Badminton | CNBC |
| 5:30 p.m. | Rugby | NBC Sports |
| 6:30 p.m. | Field Hockey (USA vs. IND) | NBC Sports |
| 8 p.m. | Gymnastics, Swimming | NBC |
Women's Gymnastics
After winning the team gold in gymnastics Tuesday night, two of the American gymnasts will be back at it Thursday competing in the all-around competition.
The only controversial aspect to the event is that just two members from each team are allowed to compete. While Americans Simone Biles and Aly Raisman are worthy competitors, an excellent case can be made that Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian are among the best gymnasts in the world and could give Biles and Raisman a run for their money.
While Douglas, Hernandez and Kocian will be able to compete in some of the individual events, they will only be able to cheer on their teammates in the all-around. Douglas won the gold medal in the event four years ago in London.
Biles is expected to come away with the gold medal in the event, and Raisman is expected to be her stiffest competition.
Former all-around gold medalist Mary Lou Retton believes that Biles is head and shoulders better than the rest of the field.
“She’s in a class all by herself,” Retton told John Powers of the Boston Globe. “Honestly, she’s just untouchable. She can have a couple of falls and still beat everybody.”
Men's Golf
Some of the top golfers in the world are competing in the 72-hole Olympic tournament, which got underway at 7:30 a.m. ET when Brazil's Adilson da Silva teed off.
The field includes four American competitors in Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar. No other country has more than two golfers competing for an Olympic medal.
All four Americans are highly ranked in the world standings, with Watson checking in at No. 6, followed by Fowler in the seventh spot, Reed at No. 14 and Kuchar at No. 20.
Sweden's Henrik Stenson, Spain's Sergio Garcia, Great Britain's Justin Rose and Germany's Martin Kaymer are among the top international golfers in the field.
Stenson won the British Open earlier last month and also made an excellent showing in the PGA Championship when he finished in a tie for seventh. Stenson ranks fifth in the world, and his exceptional all-around play will make him very tough to beat.
Garcia has never won a major, but he is the 11th-ranked golfer in the world, and he could be tough to beat in the Olympic tournament.
The event will come to a close on Sunday, when medals will be handed out and the national anthem of the winner will be played.
Swimming
Americans have been winning medals consistently in the swimming pool, and Team USA will have a chance for additional honors Thursday, as the finals will be held in the men's 200-meter individual medley, the men's 200-meter backstroke, the women's 200-meter breaststroke and the women's 100-meter freestyle.
The meeting between American's Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the 200 individual medley should be the most compelling event.
Phelps, who has won 21 Olympic gold medals in his spectacular career, has been competing against Lochte for 13 years.
These two veterans are expected to battle for the gold medal once again.
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