Day-by-day highlights of the Beijing Olympics

* Opening ceremony. Superstitious Chinese believe No. 8 is lucky. Thus, the Games begin on 8-8-2008 at 8:08 p.m. Beijing time. That is 5:08 a.m. today in Los Angeles. The U.S. athletes' choice of flag bearer Lopez Lomong was controversial because he is a refugee of Sudan and member of Team Darfur, where genocide by the Sudanese government is not condemned by the Chinese because of the country's arms-for-oil deals. The U.S. parade won't move fast enough for Chinese authorities in attendance.

* Beach volleyball. First round. U.S. favored for both gold medals with men Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers and women Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, the defending champions.

* Cycling. The men's road race will be the first test for endurance athletes in the hazy days of Beijing summers. Chinese officials say pollution levels are acceptable no matter what your eyes and lungs tell you.

Saturday

* Swimming. This is one of the two sports NBC insisted on having in prime time for U.S. audiences. The other was gymnastics. Michael Phelps goes for gold medal No. 1 tonight in the 400-meter individual medley.

* Women's basketball. U.S. women, with three Sparks -- Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and DeLisha Milton-Jones -- open against Czech Republic in search of fourth consecutive gold.

* Tennis. The fifth Grand Slam opens today with the first round of men's singles. Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal in the final, anyone?

Sunday

* Men's basketball. China watches intently as its hero, Yao Ming, takes on Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the rest of the Redeem Team.

* Swimming. Phelps is back for Day 2 of swimming in two events, the 400-meter freestyle relay and semifinals of the 200 freestyle. Natalie Coughlin and Katie Hoff could be looking for their second medals as well.

* Gymnastics. China is expected to have one of its finest hours in the men's team competition, taking back the title it won in 2000 but lost in 2004 to Japan. The United States was second in Athens but doesn't have Paul Hamm this time because of injuries.

Monday

* Swimming. Phelps, Coughlin and Hoff are all back in the pool, as is Aaron Peirsol of Irvine. He's in the 100 backstroke.

* Women's basketball. One day after the U.S. men meet China, it's the U.S. women's turn. U.S. women also meet China in water polo, but very early this morning PDT.