Tuesday’s schedule at the 2012 Summer Olympics brings with it the possibility of record-breaking history. Michael Phelps, a swimming enthusiast, is set to compete in the men’s 200m fly, his signature event. If he wins, he’d become the first male swimmer to win gold in the same individual event at three straight Olympics (he won in both Athens and Beijing).
What To Watch, Day 4: Michael Phelps Swims For Olympic History
What To Watch on Day 4 of the Summer Olympics, from skeet shooting to Michael Phelps swimming for a record to Team USA going for gold in women’s gymnastics.
But any medal would give Phelps a career total of 18, equaling the record currently held by former-Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina. Phelps could then have a chance to break that mark less than an hour later, assuming he’s included on the U.S. team in the 4x200m free relay. (He was part of the world record foursome in Beijing).
So, that’s what’s Michael Phelps’ schedule looks like for Tuesday -- two swims, and a chance at becoming the most decorated Olympian, ever.
What To Watch at the Olympics, Tuesday, July 31:
Men’s Shooting - Skeet, 11:45 a.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
It’s surprisingly riveting television.
Men’s Tennis - Andy Roddick vs. Novak Djokovic, 11 a.m. ET, Bravo
This is tentatively schedule to start at 11 a.m. ET, but with (more) rain already delaying things at Wimbledon, who knows when this match will actually get started. But a chance to see Roddick (in what is likely his final Games) on the grass courts against the No. 2 player in the world is appointment viewing.
Women’s Soccer - Team USA vs. North Korea, 12:15 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
This should be the Americans’ toughest match of the group stage (which might not be saying much, but still). Both squads beat Colombia, but whereas the U.S. downed France (4-2), DPR Korea got throttled by the French, 5-0.
Men’s Basketball - Team USA vs. Tunisia, 5:15 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
Just putting this here because it’s Team USA, but the Americans are favored by 55.5 points.
Women’s Gymnastics - Team Final, 8 p.m. ET, NBC (live at 11:30 a.m. ET, online streaming available here)
In one of the marquee events of the entire Summer Games, the United States women’s gymnastics team will be looking to improve on their silver medal from Beijing with a gold, a feat they have not accomplished since 1996 in Atlanta. The competition for gold will likely come down to Team USA against Russia (and as chance would have it, those two are paired in their rotations). Russia won the world championship title in 2010, while the U.S. claimed it in 2011.
Swimming - Men’s 200m Fly, 8 p.m. ET, NBC (live at 2:41 p.m. ET, online streaming available here)
There are more great swimming events on Tuesday -- Missy Franklin goes for a medal in the 200m free at 2:41 p.m. ET, and the aforementioned men’s 4x200m free relay at 3:51 p.m. ET -- but the chance to see Michael Phelps go for Olympic history, and one last look at him trying to assert his dominance, makes the 200m fly a can’t-miss event.
A complete TV schedule for Day 4 at the London Games is available here.
For more on the Olympics, check out SB Nation’s London 2012 Olympics Hub.
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