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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Narrow focus to these super six events

Those with limited time can still see Games’ best

By Steve Springer Los Angeles Times

Imagine sitting down in a restaurant and being handed a menu that looks more like a phone book – hundreds of pages, thousands of options. Who would have the appetite to try everything?

So it is with the options for the Olympic Games, with a guide offering 1,400 hours of television and 2,000 hours of online coverage by NBC through its various outlets.

For those with a family, a job and a life, here is a list of six things you definitely don’t want to miss.

•Today, Opening Ceremony: Always a highlight, this spectacle draws viewers across the spectrum, from die-hard sports fans to those who wouldn’t know Michael Phelps if they passed him on the street.

There is the moving parade of nations, the entertaining peek at the culture of the host nation and, of course, the mystery surrounding the selection of the final torch bearer and the method of lighting the Olympic flame, always a highlight.

•Sunday, men’s basketball: This year’s U.S. Dream Team opens in what figures to be a passionate game against the host nation, China, and its 7-foot-5 star, Yao Ming. For the Chinese, nothing in the Games will be bigger or more emotional than this.

•Aug. 16, swimming: If Phelps dominates in the pool as anticipated, this could be the day he surpasses fellow American Mark Spitz by winning a record eight gold medals in a single Olympics. The eighth would come in the 4x100-meter medley relay.

•Aug. 16, track and field: In the myriad of track events, the 100-meter final always stands out, with the winner earning the unofficial title of world’s fastest man. The current world champion is American Tyson Gay.

•Aug. 19, women’s gymnastics: This is the final night of the women’s individual event competition. America’s best hopes this time rest on Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin.

•Aug. 21 and 23, soccer: The world’s most popular sport must share the fleeting attention span of the U.S. audience with many other events at the Games. But the spotlight will be on soccer for the gold medal games (Aug. 21 for the women, Aug. 23 for the men).