SATURDAY, AUG. 11

Don’t Miss: Team gold medal games dominate the schedule with the men’s soccer final, women’s basketball final, and women’s volleyball final. The U.S. women’s basketball team beat opponents by an average of 37.6 points in Beijing, and appears a lock for the gold medal again. The men’s soccer gold-medal favorites are Brazil, Spain and Great Britain (the U.S. did not qualify).

Other Highlights: Track relays – men’s 4x100 and women’s 4x400 – and the women’s 800 final, where Caster Semenya of South Africa hopes to make headlines for her running rather than her gender. Two years ago, she was forced to undergo gender testing after opponents accused her of being too masculine.

SUNDAY, AUG. 12

Don’t Miss: The Olympic men’s marathon is always good for some drama. Back in 1908, the first time London hosted the Olympics, the iconic image was of staggering Italian marathoner Dorando Pietri being helped over the finish line by British officials. Pietri entered the stadium first, but collapsed on the track a few times before he was carried to the finish. He was disqualified for receiving aid, and become an international hero.

Other highlights: Men’s basketball gold medal game (otherwise known as the NBA All-Star Game), men’s volleyball gold medal game, men’s water polo gold medal game, wrestling finals in 66 kg and 96 kg. The closing ceremonies will be shown on prime time. The big news there is that the Spice Girls are reuniting for the big occasion! Oh, yes, and good news for teeny bopper girls everywhere -- One Direction is expected to perform.