The Games plan

Tuesday

Women's gymnastics. The United States, led by Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin, beat China in the world championships team competition last year by one point. But the Chinese have the home mat advantage.

Swimming. Phelps again, the 200 butterfly final. Coughlin and Hoff are back too. Eric Shanteau, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer before the U.S. trials but chose to delay surgery until after the Games, could be in the 200 breaststroke semifinal.

Men's basketball. The United States meets Angola. Too bad Charles Barkley isn't still around to insult the Angolans. Or maybe that's a good thing.

Wednesday

Men's gymnastics. China's Yang Wei should do well in the men's all-around finals after a disappointing fall cost him in 2004.

Men's basketball. Want to see a couple of L.A. NBA players not named Kobe? Check out Pau Gasol and Spain versus Chris Kaman and Germany.

Baseball. It's a rare doubleheader for the U.S. team. Sort of. The team, using primarily minor leaguers, meets South Korea at 3 a.m. PDT, which is 6 p.m. in Beijing, and then returns for a game against the Netherlands at 7:30 p.m. PDT, which is 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Beijing. Confused? Check out the time explainer in this section.

Thursday

Gymnastics. The United States has not just one potential Mary Lou but two in Johnson and Liukin as they challenge each other in the women's all-around finals.

Swimming. All the usual suspects return to the Water Cube.

Baseball. Get a look at some major league prospects, not only on the U.S. team but also on Cuba's as they meet in round play. Cuban baseball players like to defect, but it's unlikely they will do so in Beijing.

Aug. 15

Women's soccer. Mamma Mia, come back. Without Hamm, who retired to watch more baseball, and Abby Wambach, who broke her leg, the United States will be hard pressed to repeat as gold medalist. The team is expected, however, to advance to today's quarterfinals despite a 2-0 opening loss to Norway.

Track and field. The first final is the men's shotput, with a U.S. sweep possible.

Swimming. Find out if Dara Torres, 41, can continue to defy her age by winning a medal in the 50 freestyle.

Aug. 16

Men's basketball. If you thought it was fun watching Kobe play with Gasol, tune in today to see them play against each other as the U.S. meets Spain. They are two of the favorites.

Women's marathon. Deena Kastor, an Agoura Hills native, gives the U.S. a medal hopeful.