MONDAY, AUG. 6

Don’t Miss: In track, LaShawn Merritt is the man to beat in the 400 meters, where he has won eight of 11 finals since coming off a 21-month drug suspension. But the runner getting the most attention is likely to be Oscar “The Blade Runner’’ Pistorius of South Africa, a double amputee who is making history by becoming the first amputee runner to compete in the able-bodied Olympics. Some critics claim his springy prosthetic legs give him an advantage, so his inclusion in the London Games has gotten much publicity.

Other Highlights: The U.S. men’s basketball team plays its final group stage game vs. Argentina. The Americans won their eight games in Beijing by an average of 27.9 points. Will they dominate that way again? Women’s soccer semifinals, individual gymnastics event finals (men’s rings and vault, women’s uneven bars).

TUESDAY, AUG. 7

Don’t Miss: Gymnastics concludes tonight, and Miami’s Danell Leyva could medal in his favorite event, the parallel bars. Men’s high bar, and women’s balance beam and floor exercise are also on the menu. Romania’s Larisa Iordache, “The New Nadia’’, is expected to dazzle on the floor while Aly Raisman is America’s best hope.

Other Highlights: Women’s basketball quarterfinals, men’s soccer semifinals at Wembley and Old Trafford. Brazil has won five World Cups, but never an Olympic gold. This could be the year, with superstar Neymar leading the way.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 8

Don’t Miss: Huge night at the track. Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown beat American Allyson Felix for gold at 200 meters in 2004 and 2008, and Felix is determined to turn things around. Sanya Richards-Ross of Fort Lauderdale is favored to win the 400. Liu Xiang of China will be the man to watch in the 100-meter hurdles. He was expected to win in Beijing, but pulled out of his first heat.

Other Highlights: Men’s basketball quarterfinals, women’s beach volleyball gold-medal game. UM diver Brittany Viola competes on the platform, and the decathlon gets going with the 400 meter run. American Ashton Eaton is the world record holder, and teammate Trey Hardee is also a medal hopeful.

THURSDAY, AUG. 9

Don’t Miss: The U.S. women’s soccer team won the past two Olympics, and is hungry to win a third to avenge the loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final. Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, are among the returning players. Japan and Brazil are also strong. The final is being played at Wembley Stadium, making it extra special.

Other Highlights: Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake go at it again in the men’s 200 meter run. Blake won at the Jamaican trials. Other track finals include the men’s decathlon, where American Ashton Eaton is the gold-medal favorite. Women’s basketball semifinal, women’s volleyball semifinal, men’s water polo gold medal game, and men’s beach volleyball final

FRIDAY, AUG. 10

Don’t Miss: The final weekend kicks off with the men’s basketball semifinals (US, Spain, Lithuania, Argentina, France all contenders) and the women’s 400-meter track relay. The U.S. women have botched the baton hand-off in the past two Olympics and are eager to beat Jamaica in this exciting event.

Other Highlights: Chinese diver Qiu Bo earned 25 perfect 10s at a meet in 2011, the highest score ever recorded in platform diving. He goes for gold against Great Britain’s beloved Tom Daley.