ARCHERY
WHERE: Olympic Green Archery Field.
WHEN: Aug. 9-15, 2008.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual and team competitions.
OUTLOOK: South Korea has won the men's and women's team competitions in the last two Olympics. Butch Johnson, 52, will compete in his fifth consecutive Olympics for the U.S. When she competes for the U.S. this summer, Khatuna Lorig will be representing her third country. She represented the former Soviet Union in 1992 as part of the Unified Team, and competed for Georgia in 1996 and 2000. She missed the 2004 games because she had not yet received citizenship after coming to the United States.
ATHLETICS
WHERE: Beijing National Stadium, aka The Bird's Nest.
WHEN: Aug. 14-24.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual and relay medals. Running events include sprints (100 meters, 200, 400), middle distances (800 and 1,500), long distances (5,000 and 10,000), hurdles (100 and 400 for women; 110 and 400 for men), relays (400 and 1,600) and the 3,000 steeplechase. Field events include the long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throw. There are also the 26.2-mile marathons, the men's 20-kilometer and 50-kilometer race walks and the women's 20-kilometer race walk. Men compete in the decathlon, women in the heptathlon.
OUTLOOK: Everyone connected to the sport will be hoping for what they got at last year's world championships: zero failed drug tests. As always at the Olympics, all eyes will be on the men's 100-meter dash, and this could be one of the best fields ever, with world-record holder Usain Bolt and former record holder Asafa Powell, both from Jamaica, facing U.S.-record holder and reigning world champion Tyson Gay. The 110-meter hurdles should draw plenty of attention, too, particularly from the hosts: China's Liu Xiang is the reigning Olympic and world champion, making him his nation's best chance for a gold medal on the track. But his world record was broken by Cuba's Dayron Robles in June, setting up a showdown. Others who could be stars include Jeremy Wariner, an Olympic and world champion who wants to break the 400 record set by Michael Johnson — who just happens to be his manager; U.S. sprinter Allyson Felix; and Sanya Richards, a dominant 400 runner from the U.S.
BADMINTON
WHERE: Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 9-17.
MEDALS: Men's and women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, mixed doubles.
OUTLOOK: China won three of five gold medals in Athens and will be looking for a sweep of the gold on home soil. China has the top-ranked players in every category except men's doubles and mixed doubles, where Indonesian players are No. 1 in the rankings. China's Lin Dan and Xie Xingfang are No. 1 in men's and women's singles, respectively, and have been dating for several years.
BASEBALL
WHERE: Wukesong Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 13-23.
MEDALS: Team competition.
OUTLOOK: Japan and Cuba, who finished 1-2 in the inaugural World Baseball Classic two years ago, are the favorites in what could be the final Olympic baseball tournament. Cuba is the defending Olympic champion, topping Australia in 2004. Japan earned the bronze in Athens. The sport — along with softball — comes off the Olympic program for the 2012 London Games, but officials are working hard to try to bring it back for 2016. The Americans failed to qualify for the 2004 Athens Games after winning gold by beating Cuba in Sydney in 2000, so Team USA's roster of top minor leaguers and one college player also is eager to bring back a medal.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
WHERE: Wukesong Indoor Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 10-24.
MEDALS: Team competition.
OUTLOOK: With a star-laden roster that includes Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, the U.S. is the heavy favorite to bring home the gold medal. But the Americans haven't finished higher than third in a major international tournament since they swept to the gold in Sydney in 2000. They could face their toughest competition from Spain, which won the 2006 world championship, as well as Russia and Argentina, the defending gold medalists.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
WHERE: Wukesong Arena.
WHEN: Aug. 9-23.
MEDALS: Women's team competition.
OUTLOOK: The U.S. looks for an unprecedented fourth straight gold medal, led by three-time Olympian Lisa Leslie. Standing in the Americans' way is reigning world champion Australia and WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson. Other medal threats include Russia, which features American Becky Hammon on its roster, and host China.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
WHERE: Chaoyang Park.
WHEN: Aug. 9-22.
MEDALS: Men's and women's two-person teams.
OUTLOOK: The Americans have dominated the qualifying on both the women's and men's sides. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will try to defend their gold medal from the 2004 Games; Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers will be competing in their first Olympics. Brazil will also field strong teams, though the top women's pair could be hobbled because Juliana postponed knee surgery to play in the games. China also offers strong teams in both brackets.
BOXING
WHERE: Beijing Workers' Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 9-24.
MEDALS: Four medals (including two bronze) in each of 11 weight classes.
OUTLOOK: Boxing strives to erase its tawdry Olympic image with a revamped scoring system and roster of new judges. Traditional powers Russia and Cuba send strong teams again, though Cuba returns none of its five Athens gold medalists. Light flyweight Zou Shiming is a strong favorite for China's first boxing gold. Demetrius Andrade and Rau'shee Warren lead a U.S. squad hoping to rebound after winning just one gold in the last two Olympics.
CANOE/KAYAK
WHERE: Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park.
WHEN: Aug. 11-23.
MEDALS: C-1 1,000m (canoe single); C-1 500m (canoe single); C-2 1,000m (canoe double); C-2 500m (canoe double); K-1 1,000m (kayak single); K-1 500m (kayak single); K-2 1,000m (kayak double); K-2 500m (kayak double); K-4 1,000m (kayak four); women's K-1 500m (kayak single); women's K-2 500m (kayak double); women's K-4 500m (kayak four).
OUTLOOK: Hungary won six flatwater medals in Athens and is trying for its third straight men's K-4 100 gold in Beijing. Germany and Slovakia also expect to be heavy medal contenders. The United States is counting on Carrie Johnson, Rami Zur and Scott Parsons to get it to the podium more than in 2004 (one medal). Johnson battles a severe digestive disorder and Zur once suffered a horrendous spinal injury that could have paralyzed him.
CYCLING
WHERE: Laoshan Velodrome, Laoshan Mountain Bike course, road cycling course from Beijing to the Great Wall, and Laoshan BMX venue.
WHEN: Aug. 9-23.
MEDALS: Road course (men and women); road time trial (men and women); men's track (individual pursuit, team pursuit, individual sprint, team sprint, keirin, Madison, points race); women's track (individual pursuit, points race, individual sprint); BMX (men and women); mountain bike (men and women).
OUTLOOK: BMX makes its Olympic debut and the U.S. could collect multiple medals in that discipline. Australians and Brits could dominate on the track, where 18-year-old Taylor Phinney is the top U.S. men's hope for a medal, and where world champions Sarah Hammer and Jennie Reed could deliver for the American women. On the road, Kristin Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer lead American contingent.
DIVING
WHERE: National Aquatics Center, nicknamed "Water Cube."
WHEN: Aug. 10-23.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual and synchronized 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform competitions.
OUTLOOK: China claimed six of eight Olympic medals four years ago. Competing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Chinese will seek a sweep of all eight medals at the Water Cube. The U.S. team will try to avoid a repeat of its Athens debacle, when the Americans were shut out of the medals for the first time in 92 years.
EQUESTRIAN
WHERE: Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong.
WHEN: Aug. 9-21.
MEDALS: Team and individual medals in three sports: dressage, eventing and show jumping. Men and women compete directly against each other.
OUTLOOK: Equestrian was shifted from Beijing to Hong Kong due to quarantine restrictions. Riders will confront environmental issues as well as each other, with many events held in the evening to reduce the heat factor. Germany is the perennial favorite in both show jumping and dressage, but is expecting challenges from the U.S. and the Netherlands. Britain, France and Australia — with the Americans a possible spoiler — will battle for the medals in eventing, which is facing close scrutiny due to several deaths and serious injuries in the past couple years at top-level competitions.
FENCING
WHERE: National Convention Center — Fencing Hall.
WHEN: Aug. 9-17.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competitions in epee, foil and saber, team competitions in epee (men), foil (women) and saber (both).
OUTLOOK: Most top foil and epee fencers are from European countries such as Italy, but the U.S. has been making strides in saber. Mariel Zagunis won the women's saber title in Athens for the first American gold medal in fencing in 100 years. Italy's Valentina Vezzali and Andrea Baldini are expected to contend in the foil events.
FIELD HOCKEY
WHERE: Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium.
WHEN: Men Aug. 11-23, Women Aug. 10-22.
MEDALS: Men's and women's team competitions.
OUTLOOK: Australia is the defending men's Olympic champion, and is ranked No. 1 in the world. Germany is ranked second and the Netherlands, the men's runner-up in Athens, is ranked third. On the women's side, Germany is the defending gold medalist, and looks strong again. The Netherlands is ranked No. 1 in the world, and Argentina is No. 2. The United States could make a run — the Americans won three of four in a series with Argentina in April.
GYMNASTICS
WHERE: National Indoor Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 9-19.
MEDALS: Men's and women's team, all-around and individual event competitions.
OUTLOOK: The U.S. men's chances plummeted when defending all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm injured his hand in May and could not fully recover in time for Beijing. China is the overwhelming favorite for gold after winning seven of the last eight world titles, with Japan, Germany and Russia other strong medal contenders. Hamm's withdrawal clears the way for two-time world champion Yang Wei of China in the all-around. Yang's difficulty level is so high, even a fall like the one that cost him gold in Athens might not matter. Other top individual performers are colorful Fabian Hambuechen of Germany; Diego Hypolito of Brazil; and Jordan Jovtchev of Bulgaria.
American women are co-favorites with China for the team gold, and U.S. teenagers Shawn Johnson, the current world champ, and Nastia Liukin are threats for all-around gold. Also watch Johnson on floor and balance beam, Liukin on uneven bars and beam. Their biggest competition should come from the Chinese, who have been dogged by questions that some of their girls — including uneven bars star He Kexin — don't meet the age requirement (16 in the Olympic year). Cheng Fei, He, Li Shanshan and Yang Yilin are China's best. Romania's Steliana Nistor is a contender in the all-around.
JUDO
WHERE: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium
WHEN: Aug. 9-15.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competitions.
OUTLOOK: The judo competition is divided into seven weight categories for men and seven for women. International competitions are built increasingly on winning by outscoring opponents, rather than ending a match with a dramatic "ippon" throw. And judo's international governing body has decided to phase out the "koka," but not until after Beijing. Ryoko Tani, Japan's biggest judo star, will be back for Beijing, making her fifth Olympic appearance after she struggled and failed to win the national title for the second consecutive year. Other athletes to watch: France's Teddy Riner, who won his first world title at 18 years and five months of age, and Ronda Rousey, aiming to become the first American to win Olympic gold.
MODERN PENTATHLON
WHERE: National Conference Center — Fencing Hall; Yingtung Natatorium; National Olympic Sports Center Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 21-22.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competitions.
OUTLOOK: The modern pentathlon consists of five events: shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian and running. France's Amelie Caze and Egypt's Aya Medany are among the top female modern pentathletes. On the men's side, Russia's Ilia Frolov won the world title earlier this year when top competitor Viktor Horvath hurt his leg just after the start of the run. American Sheila Taormina became the first woman to qualify for the Olympics in three different sports — she previously competed in swimming and triathlon.
OPEN WATER SWIMMING
WHERE: Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park.
WHEN: Aug. 20-21.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competitions.
OUTLOOK: Open water marathon swimming makes its Olympic debut in Beijing. The 6.2-mile men's and women's races will feature plenty of kicking, punching and knocking away rival competitors' drink cups on a stick to get an advantage. Swimmers carry nutritive gel packets in their suits to suck on during the grueling event.
RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
WHERE: Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 21-23.
MEDALS: Women's all-around and team competitions.
OUTLOOK: Russia, Russia, Russia. The Russians and their predecessors from the Soviet Union always have been strong in rhythmic and should dominate again in individual and team events. Eugenia Kanaeva is the gold favorite.
ROWING
WHERE: Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park.
WHEN: Aug. 9-17.
MEDALS: Men's single sculls; men's pairs; men's double sculls; men's four, men's quadruple sculls; men's eight; men's lightweight double sculls; men's lightweight four; women's single sculls; women's pairs; women's double sculls; women's quadruple sculls; women's eight; women's lightweight double sculls.
OUTLOOK: The United States hopes to defend its gold medal from Athens — the first time it won the event in 40 years — in the men's eight. China has revamped its program with the goal of winning golds on its home water. China has only four Olympic rowing medals, but that number surely will grow. Chinese crews won five of the 14 finals, including four of the six women's boat classes, in a World Cup regatta in early June in Switzerland.
SAILING
WHERE: Qingdao.
WHEN: Aug. 16-24.
MEDALS: Men's Star, two-person keelboat; men's 470, two-person boat; women's 470, two-person boat; men's Finn, single-handed dinghy; men's RS:X, single-person boardsailing; women's RS:X, single-person boardsailing; women's Yngling, three-person keelboat; men's Laser, single-handed dinghy; women's Laser Radial, single-handed dinghy; Open class Tornado, two-person catamaran; Men's 49er, two-person high-performance dinghy.
OUTLOOK: Tactics will be key at Qingdao. Summer winds there are often light, with choppy waters that can slow the boats and strong currents that racers keep in mind when rounding the courses on the Yellow Sea. And Chinese officials have promised the Olympics competition area, all 19 square miles of it, will be clear of the algae before races begin Aug. 9.
SHOOTING
WHERE: Beijing Shooting Range Hall; Beijing Shooting Range CTF.
WHEN: Aug. 9-17.
MEDALS: Men: 10-meter air pistol, 10m air rifle, 25m rapid-fire pistol, 50m pistol, 50m three-position rifle, 50m prone rifle, double trap, skeet, trap. Women: 10m air pistol, 10m air rifle, 25m pistol, 50m three-position rifle, skeet, trap.
OUTLOOK: Shooting will be a major part of China's attempt to win the most gold medals. The Chinese won four golds in shooting in 2004 and could win at least twice that many this time. American Matt Emmons returns to defend his title in prone rifle. He'll also try to win the three-position championship he gave away in 2004 when he fired at the wrong person's target on the final shot.
SOCCER
WHERE: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao.
WHEN: Women, Aug. 6-21; Men, Aug. 7-23.
MEDALS: Team competition.
OUTLOOK: Defending men's champion Argentina arrives with a team confident after having won last year's Under-20 World Cup and with the added boost of FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, now that FIFA has ruled clubs must release all under-23 players. Brazil is putting a major effort into claiming the only significant title it has never won. Seven members of the U.S. team come from the squad that reached the quarterfinals of last year's U-20 World Cup and is bolstered by Brian McBride, second all-time leading scorer for the American senior team.
The defending champion U.S. women must overcome the loss of forward and leading goal scorer Abby Wambach, who broke her left leg in an exhibition match against fellow gold favorite Brazil on July 13. Germany has won the last two World Cups.
SOFTBALL
WHERE: Fengtai Softball Field.
WHEN: Aug. 12-21.
MEDALS: Women's team competition.
OUTLOOK: The United States is seeking its fourth consecutive gold medal in what will be softball's fourth and final Olympic appearance until 2016 — if then. In a surprising vote, the IOC dropped softball and baseball from the 2012 program in London. The U.S. dominated four years ago in Athens, going 9-0 and winning by a combined 51-1. With 10 players returning from that squad, the Americans are heavy favorites but will be challenged by Japan, Australia and Canada.
SWIMMING
WHERE: National Aquatics Center, nicknamed "Water Cube."
WHEN: Aug. 9-17.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual and relay competitions.
OUTLOOK: Swimming competition will be at futuristic-looking Water Cube, where ultrathin plastic stretches over a steel framework to form 3,000 translucent air bubbles. Michael Phelps tries to win eight gold medals and surpass Mark Spitz's record of seven golds from the 1972 Munich Olympics. The United States and Australia compete to finish on top of the medals standings.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING
WHERE: National Aquatics Center, nicknamed "Water Cube."
WHEN: Aug. 18-23.
MEDALS: Women's duet and team competitions.
OUTLOOK: Russia will be seeking a third consecutive Olympic team title in Beijing, having swept the event at the last five world championships. The Russian duo of Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova are the defending Olympic and world champions in the duet competition.
TABLE TENNIS
WHERE: Peking University Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 13-23.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual and team competitions
OUTLOOK: The expectations are high for the always-dominant Chinese team, which boasts the world's best players. The squad is aiming for a gold medal sweep, which it has achieved twice since table tennis was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1988. China is most vulnerable in men's singles, where potential spoilers include reigning Olympic champion Ryu Seung Min of Korea and top European players Timo Boll of Germany and Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus.
TAEKWONDO
WHERE: Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 20-24.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competition.
OUTLOOK: Weight classes at the games are limited to eight — four for each gender — to limit the number of competitors. And for the first time, two bronzes will be awarded in each weight class. You can't talk taekwondo without talking Korea. Koreans invented the sport, fought to get it in the Olympics — in Seoul in 1988 and then officially in Sydney in 2000 — and have dominated it ever since. Eight Koreans have entered the Olympic tournament, all have gone home with medals. But in Beijing they'll have to beat the Lopez family of Sugar Land, Texas. Steve has won the Olympic welterweight gold two times running and the past four world championships. Little brother, Mark and little sister Diana also will be competing, and all three are coached by their oldest brother, Jean.
TEAM HANDBALL
WHERE: Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium; finals at National Indoor Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 9-24, 2008.
MEDALS: Men's and women's team competitions.
OUTLOOK: Croatia took the gold in the men's competition in Athens and Denmark won the women's side. The South Korea men's team and Kazakhstan women's team will compete after rulings that ended a dispute over alleged match-fixing at Olympic qualifiers.
TENNIS
WHERE: Beijing Olympic Tennis Centre.
WHEN: Aug. 10-17.
MEDALS: Men's and women's singles and doubles competitions.
OUTLOOK: The Olympics offers the chance for another showdown between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but past Olympics have been upset-filled, especially on the men's side. No man has won a gold medal while ranked No. 1. The women's field lost Maria Sharapova to a shoulder injury, but will include former gold medalists Venus and Serena Williams, who will play doubles together as well as singles. Also entered are Ana Ivanovic and 1996 gold medalist Lindsay Davenport as two of the big names.
TRAMPOLINE
WHERE: National Indoor Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 15-19.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competitions.
OUTLOOK: China is heavily favored in the men's event, led by Dong Dong and former diver Ye Shuai. The Russian women figure to dominate. Chris Estrada and training partner Erin Blanchard will represent the United States; neither is expected to contend for a medal.
TRIATHLON
WHERE: Ming Tomb Reservoir.
WHEN: Aug. 18-19.
MEDALS: Men's and women's individual competitions.
OUTLOOK: Spain's Javier Gomez won the world championship in June. New Zealand's Bevan Docherty, who finished second at the Athens Olympics, was second to Gomez at worlds. Sven Riederer, third in Athens, also is back. On the women's side, defending Olympic champion Kate Allen of Austria is back, although she had a bicycle accident in April and finished just eighth at worlds. Helen Tucker of Britain won the world championship in June, and American Sarah Haskins finished second.
VOLLEYBALL
WHERE: Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 9-24.
MEDALS: Men's and women's team competitions.
OUTLOOK: The Brazilian men, the defending Olympic gold medalists, are top ranked and favorites. The U.S. men are boosted by winning the recent FIVB World League title. The Chinese women are the defending Olympic champions, and have the benefit of playing at home. Like their male counterparts, the Brazilian women are ranked No. 1 in the world. U.S. women's coach "Jenny" Lang Ping played for the gold medal-winning Chinese team in 1984 and is considered a sports icon in China.
WATER POLO
WHERE: Yingdong Natatorium; Olympic Sports Center Stadium.
WHEN: Aug. 10-24.
MEDALS: Men's and women's team competitions.
OUTLOOK: Men's water polo has been part of the Olympics since 1900, with Hungary leading the way. The Hungarians have been on the medals stand 14 times in the last 18 Summer Games, including consecutive gold medals in 2000 and 2004. The women's competition was added in 2000, and after winning silver medals in 2000 and bronze in 2004, the U.S. women have their sights set on gold in Beijing.
WEIGHTLIFTING
WHERE: Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics
WHEN: Aug. 9-19.
MEDALS: Men and women's individual competitions.
OUTLOOK: Weightlifting competition is divided into eight weight categories for men and seven for women. China dominates the sport and has high medal hopes for each of its 10 competitors. Lifters from the former Soviet Union, Turkey, North Korea and South Korea also are expected to do well. The United States used to be a weightlifting powerhouse but doesn't have any top names in the sport anymore. American Melanie Roach, competing in the 53 kg (117 pound) weight class has the best shot at a medal.
WRESTLING
WHERE: China Agricultural University Gymnasium.
WHEN: Aug. 12-21.
MEDALS: Men's and women's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman.
OUTLOOK: Sunny for Russia, the dominant world power in men's wrestling, and hazy for the United States, which appears to lack the signature stars (Rulon Gardner, Cael Sanderson) of the last two Olympics. Russia is so strong, it must choose between former Olympic champions and world champions at some weight classes. Japan is the power on the women's side, with the potential to win multiple gold medals. China, helped by the home-mat advantage, hopes to build on the surprise gold medal it won in Athens.
