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Each day I’ll be doing a fairly extensive but “just the facts, ma’am” preview. For something a little more narrative, head on over to Flotrack.

Some notes: names in gold, silver or bronze are the medal position predicted by Track and Field News, and all times are Eastern. “Gambler’s picks” are the odds in the UK.

Remember, you can watch live online at NBCOlympics.com
You also want to follow the IAAF’s live blog, they do a fantastic job.

Scheduled TV coverage

All times Eastern; check your local listings at NBCOlympics.com

NBC    Noon-12:45pm    More qualifying runs in Track & Field, including the men’s 4×400 relay – a race Team USA has dominated. Oscar Pistorius is expected to run on his two carbon-fiber prostheses for the South African team. NBC    8:00pm-Midnight    Track and Field finals include the men’s 200m, plus semifinals and finals in women’s platform Diving, the men’s final in Beach Volleyball, and quarterfinal action in men’s BMX Cycling. NBC    12:35-1:35am    Qualification in Rhythmic Gymnastics, plus the final in the women’s javelin throw. Morning Session 4:00 AM Decathlon 110m Hurdles

Start list
Here are projected times for each of the medal contenders…
Ashton Eaton (USA) 13.55
Trey Hardee (USA) 13.70
Leonel Suarez (CUB) 14.30
Pascal Behrenbruch (GER) 14.20
Eelco Sintnicolaas (NED) 14.25
Hans van Alphen (BEL) 14.70

A forecasting service for the decathlon has Hardee just 13 points ahead of Suarez for silver. It’s on.

4:30 AM Women’s High Jump qualifying round
Qualifying format: top twelve or everyone over 1.96m, whichever is greater, qualify to Saturday’s final
Start list
Notables in Group A: Anna Chicherova (RUS), Ruth Beitia (ESP), Brigetta Barrett (USA), Tonje Angelsen (NOR), Emma Green Tregaro (SWE)
Notables in Group B: Chaunté Lowe (USA), Svetlana Shkolina (RUS), Tia Hellebaut (BEL), Irina Gordeeva (RUS), Amy Acuff (USA)

4:55 AM Decathlon Discus Throw

Start lists
Here are projected distances for each of the medal contenders…
Ashton Eaton (USA) 43.75
Trey Hardee (USA) 50.00
Leonel Suarez (CUB) 45.50
Pascal Behrenbruch (GER) 48.00
Eelco Sintnicolaas (NED) 42.00
Hans van Alphen (BEL) 46.50

6:35 AM Men’s 4x400m Relay heats

7:55 AM Decathlon Pole Vault

Start list
Projected heights for each of the medal contenders…
Ashton Eaton (USA) 5.15
Trey Hardee (USA) 5.05
Leonel Suarez (CUB) 4.90
Pascal Behrenbruch (GER) 4.80
Eelco Sintnicolaas (NED) 5.30
Hans van Alphen (BEL) 4.80

Afternoon Session 1:30 PM Decathlon Javelin Throw

Start list

Here are predicted distances for each of the major medal contenders. As you can see, this is where Suarez can put himself on the podium.
Ashton Eaton (USA) 59.00
Trey Hardee (USA) 60.00
Leonel Suarez (CUB) 72.00
Pascal Behrenbruch (GER) 67.00
Eelco Sintnicolaas (NED) 61.50
Hans van Alphen (BEL) 64.50

2:20 PM Men’s Triple Jump final

2012 World Indoor Champion: Will Claye (USA)
2011 World Champion: Christian Taylor (USA)
2008 Olympic Champion: Nelson Évora (POR) — not entered
2012 World Leader: Will Claye (USA)
Track and Field News’ Medal Picks: Christian Taylor (USA), Will Claye (USA), Phillips Idowu (GBR)
Gambler’s Medal Picks: Christian Taylor (USA), Will Claye (USA), Fabrizio Donato (ITA)
TFN Preview | IAAF Preview | All-time Olympic stats
Start list
Team USA has two finalists, Christian Taylor and Will Claye

2:30 PM Women’s 800 Meters semifinals
Qualifying format: top two in each heat plus two more on time qualify to Saturday’s finals
Start list
Notables by heat…
Heat 1: Pamela Jelimo (KEN), Ekaterina Poistogova (RUS), Nataliia Lupu (UKR), Alice Schmidt (USA)
Heat 2: Caster Semenya (RSA), Alysia Johnson Montano (USA), Elena Arzhakova (RUS), Janeth Jepkosgei (KEN)
Heat 3: Mariya Savinova (RUS), Francine Niyonsaba (BDI), Geena Gall (USA), Jessica Smith (CAN)
Fantu Magiso (ETH) withdrew before the heats due to injury

3:00 PM Men’s 800 Meters final

2012 World Indoor Champion: Mohamed Aman (ETH)
2011 World Champion: David Rudisha (KEN)
2008 Olympic Champion: Wilfred Bungei (KEN) — not entered
2012 World Leader: David Rudisha (KEN)
Track and Field News’ Medal Picks: David Rudisha (KEN), Mohamed Aman (ETH), Abubaker Kaki (SUD)
Gambler’s Medal Picks: David Rudisha (KEN), Mohamed Aman (ETH), Abubaker Kaki (SUD)
TFN Preview | IAAF Preview | All-time Olympic stats
Start list
Team USA has two finalists, Nick Symmonds and Duane Solomon

3:20 PM Women’s 4x100m Relay heats

3:55 PM Men’s 200 Meters final

2011 World Champion: Usain Bolt (JAM)
2008 Olympic Champion: Usain Bolt (JAM)
2012 World Leader: Yohan Blake (JAM)
Track and Field News’ Medal Picks: Usain Bolt (JAM), Yohan Blake (JAM), Wallace Spearmon (USA)
Gambler’s Medal Picks:
TFN Preview | IAAF Preview | All-time Olympic stats
Start list

4:00 PM Women’s Javelin Throw final

2011 World Champion: Mariya Abakumova (RUS)
2008 Olympic Champion: Barbora Špotáková (CZE)
2012 World Leader: Sunette Viljoen (RSA)
Track and Field News’ Medal Picks: Barbora Špotáková (CZE), Sunette Viljoen (RSA), Maria Abakumova (RUS)
Gambler’s Medal Picks: Barbora Špotáková (CZE), Christina Obergfoll (GER), Maria Abakumova (RUS)
TFN Preview | IAAF Preview | All-time Olympic stats
Start list
Team USA has no finalists, Canada has Elizabeth Gleadle

Decathlon 1500 Meters

This should be a mere formality–unless it’s close between Hardee and Suarez for silver. Then it gets interesting, because Suarez is capable of beating Hardee by more than 20 seconds.

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