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Sporting News, The, Sept 11, 2000

WEDNESDAY 9/13

Cable

6:30-9 p.m. (MSNBC)
Men's soccer--
  U.S. vs. Czech Republic

SPOTLIGHT

Forget about the Magnificent Seven. Forget about the Miracle on Ice. OK, don't forget about them, just put them on the back burner for the time being because these Olympic Games start with soccer. Young U.S. stars such as Landon Donovan, Ben Olsen and Josh Wolff could become household names with a medal run that would only be enhanced by the announcing of Andres Cantor--"Gooooooal" will sound sweet no matter the language--and analysis by one of the best-known players in U.S. soccer history, Alexi Lalas.

THURSDAY 9/14

Cable

6:30-9 p.m. (MSNBC)
Women's soccer--
  U.S. vs. Norway

SPOTLIGHT

We all know their story by now. The United States won the first gold medal for women's soccer in Olympic history in 1996. And then Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and Co. reappeared on the American sports landscape with their rousing Women's World Cup win in 1999. The U.S. hopes to stay at the top of the world when if goes for gold again. Gone are venerable Michelle Akers and coach Tony DiCicco, but the U.S. women are driven to put on a another good show in order to drum up interest for the WUSA, the women's pro league that will begin play in 2001.

FRIDAY 9/15

NBC

7:30 p.m.-midnight
Opening ceremony

SATURDAY 9/16

NBC

4:30-6 p.m.
swimming
7 p.m.-midnight
Swimming finals
  Women's 400m individual
    medley
  Men's 400m freestyle
  Women's 4X100m freestyle
    relay
  Men's 4X100m freestyle
    relay
Men's gymnastics--Team
  competition
Women's triathlon
Weightlifting--Men's
  flyweight final
12:30-2 a.m.
Women's volleyball--
  U.S. vs. China

Cable

10 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Men's soccer--
  U.S. vs. Cameroon
Women's beach volleyball
Women's water polo--
  U.S. vs. Netherlands
4-9 p.m. (CBC)
Boxing

SPOTLIGHT

Take the plunge into Olympics coverage by tuning into one of the marquee swimming events, the men's 400-meter freestyle relay. The Aussies will be the United States' biggest rivals, especially because they can't take a compliment. See, the Americans are insisting that the Australians will be tough, but the Aussies think it's all a mind game meant to put the pressure on them. Also, Dara Torres, trying to become the oldest women's swimming gold medalist, gets her feet wet in the first of four events. We'd love to see her prune fingers at the closing ceremony.

SUNDAY 9/17

NBC

11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Men's basketball--
  U.S. vs. China
Swimming
Men's beach volleyball
Canoeing--Whitewater
7 p.m.-midnight
Swimming finals
  Women's 100m butterfly
  Men's 100m breaststroke
  Women's 400m freestyle
  Men's 400m individual
    medley
  Women's gymnastics--Team
    competition
Men's triathlon
12:30-2 a.m.
Men's volleyball--
  U.S. vs. Argentina

Cable

9 a.m.-4 p.m. (MSNBC)
Women's soccer--U.S. vs.
  China (begins at 9 a.m.)
Softball--U.S. vs. Canada
Baseball--U.S. vs. Japan
Equestrian--Team three-day
  dressage competition
4-9 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing
Women's weightliffing--
  finals
Cycling--Track finals
Women's water polo--
  U.S. vs. Canada

SPOTLIGHT

There's no "all you can drink for a buck" special, but Sydney 2000 is staging its version of "Ladies Night." It's all about sand, sun and men's beach volleyball--a sport in which the rules actually require the ball to be a bright color. There's also the whiteball brand of v-ball (played inside, everyone wears shirts, etc.). The U.S. men's team--led by "Big Wave," tight end-sized George Roumain (6-7, 260)--goes for the kills (actually a legit v-ball stat) against Argentina. Oh, and the NBA stars make their debut--E-Z victory vs. China.

MONDAY 9/18

NBC

10 a.m.-noon
swimming
Rowing
7 p.m.-midnight
Men's gymnastics--Team
  finals
Swimming finals
  Women's 100m backstroke
  Men's 200m freestyle
  Men's 100m backstroke
  Women's 100m
    breaststroke
Rowing--Men's and
  women's eights
Equestrian--Three-day team
  cross-country competition
12:35-2:05 a.m.
Women's volleyball--
  U.S. vs. Kenya

Cable

10 a.m.-5 p.m.(MSNBC)
Women's basketball--
  U.S. vs. Cuba
Softball--U.S. vs. Cuba
Women's water polo--
  U.S. vs. Russia
5-9 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing
Women's weightlifting--
  finals

SPOTLIGHT

The "other" Dream Team, the U.S. women's basketball squad, makes its Sydney debut against Cuba, and the men's team gymnastics finals begin. But the real gold rush will be in the pool, where four gold medals will be given away. With the freestyling Gary Hall Jrs., Dara Torreses and Jenny Thompsons getting the attention, Ukrainian immigrant and world-record holder Lenny Krayzelburg hopes to make a splash in his first Olympics, in the 100-meter backstroke. Our apologies to Gary, Dara and Jenny--Lenny might be the best swimmer in the world.

TUESDAY 9/19

NBC

10 a.m.-noon
Swimming
Rowing
1 p.m.-midnight
Women's gymnastics--
  Team finals
Swimming finals
  Women's 200m freestyle
  Men's 200m butterfly
  Women's 200m individual
    medley
  Men's 4X200m freestyle
    relay
Equestrian--Team three-day
  show-jumping competition
12:35-2:05 a.m.
Men's basketball--
  U.S. vs. Italy

Cable

10 a.m.-5 p.m. (MSNBC)
Softball--U.S. vs. Japan
Men's soccer--U.S. vs.
  Kuwait
Women's archery--Individual
  finals
5-9 p.m. (CNBC)
Boxing
Tennis
Cycling--Track competition