Track & Field & Women’s Platform Diving Gold Medal Finals in Primetime

BEIJING – August 21, 2008 – NBC’s primetime coverage of the Beijing Olympics Thursday begins at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and features live coverage of the men’s beach volleyball gold medal final where USA’s Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser take on Brazil (Marcio Araujo/Fabio Luiz). In track & field, the 400m gold medal final is highlighted by USA’s Jeremy Wariner who looks to defend his 2004 Olympic gold medal in the event. In the men’s 110m hurdles gold medal final representing the USA are David Oliver and David Payne. In the women’s 200m, 2007 World Champion Allyson Felix looks to take gold from defending 2004 Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell- Brown of Jamaica. Also in track & field, men’s triple jump gold medal finals and day one of the decathlon featuring 2004 Olympic silver medalist Brian Clay. In the women’s platform diving gold medal final, USA’s Laura Wilkinson, 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the event, looks to take gold for the second and last time as she’s announced her retirement after these Games.

Wednesday’s coverage continues with the following:

NBC DAYTIME:
Equestrian’s individual jumping gold medal final and women’s water polo bronze or gold medal matches highlights Wednesday in daytime. Also, track & field’s decathlon and rhythmic gymnastics competition along with a special softball gold medal final report.

NBC LATENIGHT:
Live in latenight is a men’s volleyball semifinal match. Also, track & field’s women’s javelin gold medal final and men’s beach volleyball bronze medal match.

CABLE:
Live on USA Network are two of the most highly anticipated USA women’s gold medal finals with softball’s last appearance in an Olympic Games and USA women’s soccer taking on Brazil, led by arguably the best female player in the world, Marta. Live on MSNBC, two women’s basketball semifinal games between USA and Russia and China and Australia. Also live, the women’s soccer bronze medal game with Germany taking on Japan and women’s water polo with Australia vs. Hungary.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21 – DAY 13

NBC and NBC HD
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Track & Field - Decathlon
Gymnastics – Rhythmic Competition
Women’s Water Polo – Gold or Bronze Medal Match
Equestrian – Individual Jumping Gold Medal Final
Softball – Gold Medal Game Report

8:00 p.m. – Midnight
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals
Men’s 400m, 110m Hurdles, Triple Jump
Women’s 200m
Decathlon Day 1
Women’s Diving – Platform Gold Medal Final
Men’s Beach Volleyball – Gold Medal Match (LIVE)

12:35 a.m. – 2:00 a.m
Men’s Volleyball – Semifinal (LIVE)
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals
Women’s Javelin Throw
Men’s Beach Volleyball – Bronze Medal Match

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight - 2:00 a.m.
Women’s Track & Field – 20k Walk

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wrestling – Freestyle 84kg, 96kg, 120kg Gold Medal Finals

USA and USA HD
2:00 a.m. – Noon
Women’s Soccer – Gold Medal Match (LIVE)
Softball – Gold Medal Game (LIVE)
Women’s Beach Volleyball – Bronze Medal Match China vs. Brazil
Men’s Swimming – Marathon
Canoeing – Semifinals
Women’s Table Tennis – Quarterfinal
Men’s Table Tennis

MSNBC
5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Women’s Basketball – Semifinal USA vs. Russia (LIVE
Semifinal China vs. Australia (LIVE)
Women’s Soccer – Bronze Medal Match Germany vs. Japan (LIVE)
Women’s Water Polo – Bronze Medal Match Australia vs. Hungary (LIVE)
Wrestling – Freestyle 84kg, 96kg, 120kg Competition
Women’s Handball – Semifinals Norway vs. Korea
Women’s Volleyball – Semifinal China vs. Brazil
Men’s Field Hockey – Semifinal Netherlands vs. Germany

OXYGEN
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Gymnastics on Oxygen Gala

TELEMUNDO
2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals
Women’s Diving – Platform Competition and Semifinal

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Women’s Soccer – Gold Medal Match (LIVE)
Women’s Beach Volleyball – Gold Medal Match

Midnight – 1:00 a.m.
TBA

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Women’s Final
6:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Bronze Medal (LIVE)
9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Gold Medal (LIVE)
11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Medal Ceremony (LIVE)
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cycle repeats

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Women’s Semifinals
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Game #1 (LIVE)
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Game #2 (LIVE)
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Game Re-airs
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m Game Re-airs

NBCOlympics.com - LIVE STREAMING BROADBAND COVERAGE:
Baseball – Semifinal
Men’s & Women’s Field Hockey
Men’s Modern Pentathlon – Swimming, Riding & Running
Women’s Modern Pentathlon – Shooting & Fencing
Sailing – Gold Medal Finals
Men’s Taekwondo – 68kg Gold Medal Finals, 80kg Competition
Women’s Taekwondo – 57kg Gold Medal Finals, 67kg Competition
Women’s Basketball – Semifinals
Canoeing – Flatwater Semifinals
Women’s Handball – Competition & Semifinals
Men’s Handball
Equestrian – Individual Jumping Gold Medal Final
Women’s Soccer – Gold & Bronze Medal Games
Softball – Gold Medal Game
Men’s & Women’s Table Tennis – Singles Competition & Semifinals
Men’s Wrestling – Freestyle 84kg, 96kg, 120kg
Water Polo

NBC PRIMETIME HIGHLIGHTS:
· Defending Olympic gold medalist and two-time reigning world champion Jeremy Wariner – whose agent and mentor is the only man to repeat as Olympic 400m champion Michael Johnson – has been dominant in his signature event, the 400m, though fellow American LaShawn Merritt topped Wariner at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Led by Wariner, the USA swept the medals in Athens and at the 2007 World Championships, and a repeat sweep with Wariner and Merritt at the fore in Beijing is possible.
· Four years ago, teen sensation Allyson Felix was a rising star and won the 200m silver in her Olympic debut. Last year at the World Championships, she dominated the field and is the favorite for gold in Beijing. Also watch for Jamaican sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown, the defending Olympic champion in the 200m.
· While expecting a showdown with Athens gold medalist Liu Xiang in his home country, instead world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba will contend with a pair of Americans, David Oliver and David Payne, in a bid for his first Olympic medal. Also in contention for an upset is 2005 World champion Ladji Doucoure of France.
· Who’s the “World’s Greatest Athlete?” It just may be reigning Olympic and world champion Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic, who will face a strong challenge from his good friend and Athens silver medalist Bryan Clay in Day 1 of the two-day decathlon competition.
· Laura Wilkinson is used to being the underdog. In Sydney she came back from eighth place in the final round to win an unexpected gold medal, competing with broken bones in her foot. Then after a fifth-place finish in Athens, Wilkinson came back to win a world championship one year later. Now, at age 30, she plays the underdog again, this time behind two Chinese teens half her age: Wang Xin, the 2007 world champion, and Chen Ruolin, 2008 World Cup champion.

NBC DAYTIME HIGHLIGHTS:
· Gold is at stake in women’s water polo for the third time in Olympic history, and Team USA, led by Brenda Villa, could be looking to add one to its collection after winning silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004.

NBC LATENIGHT HIGHLIGHTS:
· If you like volleyball, this show is for you. Indoors, you’ll find live semifinal action. On the sand, it’s the men’s bronze medal match in beach volleyball.

USA NETWORK HIGHLIGHTS:
· This could be a golden day for Team USA in women’s team sports live on USA. First, the USA Softball Team is expected to play for its fourth – and perhaps final – Olympic gold medal (softball has been removed from the Olympic program beginning in 2012). Also, the USA Women’s Soccer Team, led by a new generation of stars is looking to repeat as Olympic champion, as they take on Marta and Team Brazil.

MSNBC HIGHLIGHTS:
· The USA Women’s Basketball Team has won three straight Olympic gold medals, and Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Lisa Leslie & Co. and today will take on Russia in the semifinal, live on MSNBC.

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS:
· Gold medals are on the line as the big men take the mat in Freestyle Wrestling’s 84kg, 96kg and 120kg Finals. Daniel Cormier, in the 96kg class, is one of Team USA’s top hopes, and New Jersey’s Steve Mocco makes his Olympic debut in the 120kg class, representing a family of athletes.

OXYGEN HIGHLIGHTS:
· An encore presentation of the gymnastics Champions Gala, featuring the men’s and women’s stars of the Beijing gymnastics competition one last time as they perform routines set to their favorite music.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 – DAY 14

NBC and NBC HD
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Track & Field – Decathlon, Final Day
Men’s Basketball – Semifinal (LIVE)
Gymnastics – Rhythmic Competition
Women’s Table Tennis – Gold Medal Final

8:00 p.m. – Midnight
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals
Men’s 4×100m Relay, Pole Vault
Women’s 4×100m Relay, Long Jump, 5000m
Decathlon 1500m
Men’s Diving – Platform Semifinal (LIVE)
Platform Competition

12:35 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Women’s Volleyball – Bronze Medal Match (LIVE)
Men’s Table Tennis – Singles Semifinals
Synchronized Swimming – Team Competition

CNBC and CNBC HD
Midnight – 4:00 a.m.
Boxing – Semifinals (51kg, 57kg, 64kg, 75kg, 91kg)(LIVE)
Baseball – Semifinal (LIVE)

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Boxing – Semifinals (48kg, 54kg, 60kg, 69kg, 81kg, +91kg)

USA and USA HD
2:00 a.m. – Noon
Men’s Basketball – Semifinal (LIVE)
Men’s Water Polo – Semifinal (LIVE)
Men’s Track & Field – 50k Walk
Women’s Table Tennis – Singles Semifinal
Men’s Table Tennis - Quarterfinals
Canoeing – Gold Medal Finals

MSNBC
5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Bronze Medal Match (LIVE)
Baseball – Semifinal
Men’s Volleyball – Semifinal
Women’s Field Hockey – Bronze Medal Game
Women’s Modern Pentathlon
Women’s Mountain Bike
Men’s Handball - Semifinal

OXYGEN
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Women’s Field Hockey – Gold Medal Game

TELEMUNDO
2:00 a.m. – 6:00 a.m.
Women’s Diving – Platform Gold Medal Final
Track & Field – Gold Medal Finals
Men’s Beach Volleyball – Gold Medal Match

6:55 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Men’s Soccer – Bronze Medal Match (LIVE)
Men’s Basketball – Semifinal (LIVE)

11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Men’s Soccer – Gold Medal Match (LIVE)

UNIVERSAL HD
24-hour MSNBC & CNBC HD Simulcasts and Coverage

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Men’s Bronze Medal and Women’s Final Encore
7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Men’s Bronze Medal (LIVE)
9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Women’s Bronze Medal
10:45 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Women’s Gold Medal Final
12:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Women’s Medal Ceremony
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Match Re-airs

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Men’s Seminfinals
8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Game #1 (LIVE)
10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Game #2 (LIVE)
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Game Re-airs
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Game Re-airs

NBCOlympics.com - LIVE STREAMING BROADBAND COVERAGE:
Baseball – Semifinal & Bronze Medal Game
Women’s Field Hockey – Gold Medal Game
Men’s Field Hockey
Women’s Modern Pentathlon – Swimming, Riding & Running
Men’s Taekwondo – 80kg Gold Medal Finals, +80kg Competition
Women’s Taekwondo – 67kg Gold Medal Finals, +67kg Competition
Men’s Basketball – Semifinals
Canoeing – Flatwater Gold Medal Finals
Women’s Mountain Bike
Men’s Handball – Competition & Semifinals
Women’s Handball – Competition & Bronze Medal Game
Men’s Soccer – Bronze & Gold Medal Matches
Men’s Table Tennis – Quarterfinals
Women’s Table Tennis – Singles Bronze & Gold Medal Matches
Water Polo

NBC PRIMETIME HIGHLIGHTS:
· The World’s Fastest Men and Women race for more medals in the men’s and women’s 4×100m relay finals, as the American teams look to return to the top of the podium after falling short in Athens. On the men’s side, triple world champion Tyson Gay attempts to lead Team USA to gold against Team Jamaica’s featuring the lightning fast duo of Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell. Allyson Felix and Lauryn Williams are expected to lead the way for the American women.
· The world’s top two decathletes, the Czech Republic’s Roman Sebrle and America’s Bryan Clay, who finished 1-2 in Athens, may be competing head-to-head once more to determine who is the “World’s Greatest Athlete” as the decathlon concludes with five events on Day 2. Gold medals are also at stake in the women’s 5000m, the women’s long jump, and the men’s pole vault, where American Brad Walker is the reigning world champion.
· The final diving competition of the Beijing Olympics, the men’s 10m platform, is perhaps the most wide open. As usual, China is expected to field two strong contenders, but this event has been a relative weak spot for the host country in recent years. American teens and training partners David Boudia (who performs among the most difficult sets of dives in the world) and Thomas Finchum give Team USA two legitimate contenders. Russia’s Gleb Gelperin is the reigning world champion. And look for emerging British sensation Tom Daley, competing in his first Olympics at age 14.

NBC DAYTIME HIGHLIGHTS:
· Four years ago in Athens, the unthinkable happened: Team USA failed to advance to the men’s basketball final, falling to eventual champion Argentina. In today’s live semifinal, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant look to lead the “Redeem Team” back to the gold medal game.

NBC LATENIGHT HIGHLIGHTS:
· Grace and beauty are on display as the world’s top synchronized swimming teams compete for a berth in the gold medal final. Russia, which dominated the 2007 World Championships, has won the last two Olympic gold medals and should win a third straight in Beijing.

USA NETWORK:
· Catch live team sport action in men’s basketball, featuring a semifinal showdown between two of the world’s best teams.
· Olympic gold is on the line in the longest Track & Field event at the Games: the Men’s 50km Walk.

MSNBC HIGHLIGHTS:
· The women’s competition in modern pentathlon features American Sheila Taormina, who will be competing in her fourth Olympics in her third different sport (she was a swimming relay gold medalist in 1996 and competed in triathlon in 2000 and 2004).
· Team sport competitions near their conclusion with medals at stake in men’s soccer and women’s field hockey plus semifinal action in baseball, men’s volleyball and men’s handball.

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS:
· Catch live coverage of boxing semifinals in multiple weight classes.

OXYGEN HIGHLIGHTS:
· Watch as Olympic gold is determined in women’s field hockey gold medal game.

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