What to Watch For: Day 9

And thus begins the Olympic life without Michael Phelps. Knowing that Phelps is going for history in the pool is a bit disappointing, but then again this is the Olympics, and the Olympics does not revolve around one man (though it sure seemed that way over the past week). There are still plenty of events left that have the potential to be just as exciting as Phelps’ swims for history. Here’s a sampling of what will be shown throughout the day on NBC’s coverage of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Daytime: Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele is the best in the world in the men’s 10,000m. In Beijing, the three-time world champion seeks his second straight Olympic gold. Other coverage includes rowing “eight” finals and U.S. women’s volleyball vs. Poland. Primetime: The first night of gymnastics individual event finals, where Americans Nastia Luikin and Shawn Johnson will look to add to their medal hauls as the women perform floor and vault routines. Also, Jonathan Horton and Sasha Artemev will compete in the men’s men’s floor and pommel horse. Also, track and field finals, including a U.S.-Jamaica dominated women’s 100m, and the women’s 3m springboard diving final. Not the same without Phelps, but certainly not boring.