FRIDAY, JULY 27

Don’t Miss: A T.V. audience of about 1 billion people worldwide is expected to tune in as Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director of “Slugdog Millionaire’’ transforms the London Olympic Stadium into a “green and pleasant land,’’ complete with 120 farm animals, a cricket ground, meadows, rivers, and fake rain clouds. The three-hour ceremony was inspired by William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest’’ and will include a musical performance by (who else?) Sir Paul McCartney. More than 10,000 athletes from 200-plus countries will march in the Parade of Nations. The U.S. delegation will be wearing berets and somewhat controversial Made in China suits by Ralph Lauren. As usual, the lighter of the Olympic flame, and method of lighting, remained a closely-guarded secret during the final days of preparation.

SATURDAY, JULY 28

Don’t Miss: The most-hyped rivalry of these Olympics gets underway in the swimming pool with Americans Michael Phelps vs. Ryan Lochte in the 400-meter individual medley final. Buckle your seat belts!

Other Highlights: Foluke Akinradewo of Plantation and the rest of the U.S. women’s volleyball team play their opening game against South Korea. Plus, three other gold-medal swimming finals -- the men’s 400 free and women’s 400 IM and 400 free relay; unusually colorful first-round tennis matches from Wimbledon (all-white dress code suspended for Olympics); US women’s basketball vs. Croatia; men’s gymnastics begins; US women’s soccer (Abby Wambach, Hope Solo & Co.) vs. Colombia.

SUNDAY, JULY 29

Don’t Miss: Women’s gymnastics gets going, and NBC cameras are sure to focus on Team USA, featuring Jordyn Wieber and Gabby Douglas. This U.S. team is very strong and favored to win gold over Romania and Russia.

Other Highlights: LeBron James and the star-studded U.S. men’s basketball team takes on France at 8:30 a.m. Eastern. At the pool, four gold-medal finals -- the men’s 100 breaststroke and 400 free relay and the women’s 100 butterfly and 400 free, featuring defending Olympic champ Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain, who is also favored in the 800.

MONDAY, JULY 30

Don’t Miss: 17-year-old Missy “The Missile’’ Franklin, she of the size 13 feet, competes in the 100-meter backstroke final. Last year, at 16, she won five world medals. By the end of these Games, she will have raced in seven events.

Other Highlights: Miami’s Danell Leyva aims for team gold in men’s gymnastics. The U.S. hasn’t won men’s gymnastics team gold since the Soviet-boycotted 1984 Olympics, and Japan and China will be tough to beat. Huge women’s volleyball match between the U.S. and reigning Olympic champion Brazil. Ryan Lochte is back in the pool for the 200 free final. Other swimming finals include the men’s 100 back and the women’s 100 breaststroke. The U.S. women’s basketball team (with Miami’s Sylvia Fowles) plays Angola.

TUESDAY, JULY 31

Don’t Miss: The pixies are back in the spotlight as Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber and the U.S. women’s gymnastics team goes for the gold-medal team final. Will there be another Kerri Strug-like dramatic moment? The U.S. is favored after winning the 2011 world title. Stay tuned.

Other Highlights: Another busy day at the pool, including Phelps in the 200 fly and the U.S. team in the men’s 800 free relay and Franklin in the women’s 200 free, who will battle fellow American Allison Schmitt. The U.S. women’s soccer plays North Korea, the U.S. men’s volleyball team faces Germany, and the U.S. men’s basketball team will be heavily favored over Tunisia.