<p>A surfeit of action awaits as the race for gold begins in right earnest in Rio. Here’s a quick guide to the contests to look out for in the playfields of the Brazilian city </p>.<p>Tennis <br /><br />A spate of pullouts in both men’s and women’s sections owing to Zika virus may have reduced tennis’ competitive edge. Roger Federer’s dream of winning an Olympic gold may remain just that after the Swiss ace withdrew citing an injury while Rafael Nadal continues to be doubtful starter despite arriving in Rio. In such a scenario, the onus lies on Briton Andy Murray and Serbian World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to whip up passions. For the record, Djokovic had lost the 2012 London final to Muray.<br /><br />Fresh from her record-equalling 22nd Slam win, Serena Williams will eye a repeat of her golden double in women’s section.<br /><br />India will bank on their men’s double pair Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna though their best hopes may lie in mixed doubles competitions. <br /><br />Aug 6-11: Preliminary rounds (7:15 pm). Aug 12: Men’s singles semifinals (8:30 pm). Aug 14: Final (8:30 pm).<br /><br />Aug 11: Doubles semifinals (3:15 am onwards). Aug 12: Final (8:30 pm). <br /><br />Aug 11: Women singles semifinals (8:30 pm). Aug 13: Final (8:30 pm). <br /> <br />Aug 11: Doubles semifinals (8:30 pm). Aug 14: Final (8:30 pm). <br /><br />Aug 14: Mixed doubles final (8:30 pm).<br /><br />TABLE TENNIS<br /><br /><br />China's table tennis team travel to Rio de Janeiro under a cloud of controversy as fans lament that even being the world champion does not guarantee a coveted Olympic singles spot in one of the world's most competitive sporting teams.<br /><br />The failure of world number one Liu Shiwen to clinch one of China's two spots in the competition was greeted with an outcry at home described by local news outlet Sina Sports as "one of the most tragic things to happen to the Chinese women's team in the last 20 years".<br /><br />The tough selection - which fell to defending London champion Li Xiaoxia and world number two Ding Ning - also underlines how China is likely to once again dominate the medal tables at Rio as it did in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.<br /><br />China won all four medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and repeated the feat at the 2012 London Olympics.<br /><br />August 6-8: Preliminary rounds (Starts at 5:30 pm). August 9: Quarterfinals (Starts at 6:30 pm). August 10: Women’s semifinals. August 11: Women’s final (6.00 am). Men’s semis: (6.30 pm); August 12: Men’s final (6.00 am). Team finals: August 17 &18. (3.00 am).<br /><br />HOCKEY<br /><br />Germany, Netherlands and Australia — the three superpowers of modern hockey — will once again resume the battle for the bragging rights when the competition kicks off on Saturday with the latter being the hungrier of the trio.<br /><br />Australia, world champions on the last two occasions (2010 & 2014), have strangely found the Olympic puzzle a hard one to crack. Barring the gold in 2004 Athens, the Kookaburras have repeatedly fallen flat at the semifinal hurdle, ending up with bronze medals since Sydney 2000.<br /><br />While they’ve conquered the Champions Trophy and World League Finals with some authority, their disappointment at Olympics has been baffling even to them. So in a bid to rectify that anomaly, they’ve traveled to Rio with a strong squad featuring 10 Olympians and six others determined to make an impact. They’ve been in superb form of late and stopping them will take some doing.<br /><br />Germany somehow manage to come up with their best at the Olympics despite their limitations. Many players don’t last for too long owing to lack of job opportunities but the steady supply of young talent and their workmanlike spirit has seen them claim gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. They’ve struggled in the build-up to the Games but one knows that doesn’t count for anything.<br /><br />The Netherlands, silver medallists four years ago, will be seeking to reclaim the gold they won in 1996 and 2000. They’ve been slowly building up good form and pitted along with Germany in Pool B, they will have their task cut out.<br /><br />India’s first goal would to be to make it to the quarterfinals after which they’ll be looking to bring out their best in the hope of pulling off a surprise or two.<br /><br />Aug 6-12: Group phase; Aug 14: Quarterfinals (Start at 6.30 pm); Aug 16: Semifinals (Start at 8.30 pm); Aug 20: Final (at 1.30 am).<br /><br />ATHLETICS<br /><br />* Sprints: Justin Gatlin dreams of parading around the United States with the 100M gold medal. If Usain Bolt is fit and fine, Gatlin’s dream will remain a dream. The Jamaican is not yet in great shape after a hamstring injury and therein lies the American’s hope. Tension will rise, sparks will fly but just don’t miss the sprinting action, be it 100 or 200.<br /><br />100M: Final: August 15 7.00 am<br /><br />200M Final: August 19, 7.00 am<br /><br />* 400M: There are three worthy contenders here. South African Wayde van Neikerk is the world champion, Grenadian Kirani James is the defending champion and American LaShawn Merritt is the 2008 champion. The build up phase has been interesting for a contest that each one of them desperately wants to win.<br /><br />Final: August 15, 6.30 am<br /><br />* 5000-10000M: Mo Farah has another double in his sight. Will the Kenyans or Ethiopians be able to halt the British juggernaut? Farah has poure cold water over the African plans in every big meet in recent times, and even a controversy over his choice of coach or training venues hasn’t affected his form on track. Double-double? The defending champion is game.<br /><br />5000M: Final: August 21, 6.00am <br /><br />10000M: Final: August 14, 5.55 am<br /><br />* Women: Sprints: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, champion in 2008 and 2012, can complete a unique triple with victory in the 100M. The 2008 and 2012 champion has worthy rivals in Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers, with the former having run a sizzling 10.70 this season. Fraser-Pryce, though, ups the level in big meets and would be primed for Rio. <br /><br />Schippers, the rising star, will have her designs in the 200M, where she clocked a stunning 21.63 at the Beijing World Championships.<br /><br />100M: Final: August 14, 7.05 am<br /><br />200M: Final: August 18, 7.00 am<br /><br />Athletics runs from August 12 to 21</p>.<p>SWIMMING</p>.<p>* Determined to rewrite his farewell script that didn’t go as per plans in London, Michael Phelps will be the star in action as a heady combination of Olympic and world champions converge at the Aquatics Stadium.<br /><br />Phelps, holder of a mind-boggling 22 Olympic medals (18 golds), had built a legendary status eight years ago in Beijing but the quest for greatness has kept his fire burning. While the aura has diminished a bit, the 31-year-old will be the man to beat in the three individual events he’s competing -- 100M butterfly, 200M butterfly and 200M individual medley.<br /><br />Teen sensation Katie Ledecky, who is rated highly by Phelps himself, is another star waiting to make the Rio Games all her own. Winner of four individual golds at last year's world championships, Ledecky will be competing in three individual events -- 200, 400 & 800 -- where she’s not tipped to just win it but set world records.<br /><br />One country that would be desperate to make an impression is Australia. London 2012 saw the once mighty nation slump to its worst performance. <br /><br />Hungary, Italy, France and the Netherlands all have potential medal winners too. South Africa’s Chad le Clos (200m butterfly) and Cameron van der Burgh (100m backstroke) will be keen to defend their gold medals.<br /><br />August 6-13: Finals from 10 am IST.</p>.<p>WRESTLING <br /><br /><br />* Japanese grapplers Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho look on course for fourth successive gold medals in their respective classes in women’s freestyle, India’s medal hopes hang heavily on the duo of Narsingh Yadav and Yogeshwar Dutt.<br /><br />In one of the few sports still having their roots in the Ancient Olympics, Yogeshwar (66kg freestyle) -- bronze medalist from London -- will be keen to better the colour of the medal in Rio while Narsingh (74kg) can finally put all the problems aside and concentrate on his game on the mat.<br /> <br />Aug 14-21: Medal rounds from 6:30 pm IST.</p>.<p>GYMNASTICS </p>.<p>* With 14 world championship medals and four consecutive national championships gold under her belt, United States’ Simone Biles will easily be one of the best athletes to watch out for at the Rio Olympics.<br /><br />The US, with a rich history in gymnastics, will look to repeat the 2012 London Olympics feat of a team championship gold and the 19-year-old Biles will be a vital cog in their wheel.<br /><br />In the men’s section, the experienced warhorse Kohei Uchimura of Japan will be under the spotlight once again. <br /><br />August 6-7: Preliminary rounds (7:00 pm onwards). <br /><br />August 9-12 & 14-16: Medal rounds (12:30 am) and (10:30 pm).</p>.<p>BADMINTON<br /><br />* The last time China’s Lin Dan and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei faced off at the quadrennial bash, it was the final at London. And though the Chinese great was pushed to the limit, he eventually prevailed to clinch his second Olympic gold.<br /><br />But getting the gold medal around his neck for a record third time could prove to be tough affair for Super Dan for two reasons — a tricky knockout stage and a dangerous looking Lee Chong Wei.<br /><br />The 32-year-old will possibly have to overcome the challenge from fifth seed Jan Jorgensen of Denmark in the quarters before taking the court for the much-anticipated clash against Lee Chong Wei in the semis. And if that happens, be prepared for a treat.<br /><br />Chong Wei has had a commendable season since his return to the international scene after the eight-month doping ban in late 2014. <br /><br />August 11-14: Preliminary rounds (Starts at 4:30 pm)<br /><br />August 17: Quarterfinals (Starts at 5:00 pm). August 19: Semifinals (Starts at 5:00 pm)<br />August 20: Final (5:00 pm).<br /><br />WRESTLING<br /><br />* Japanese grapplers Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho look on course for fourth successive gold medals in their respective classes in women’s freestyle, India’s medal hopes hang heavily on the duo of Narsingh Yadav and Yogeshwar Dutt.<br /><br />In one of the few sports still having their roots in the Ancient Olympics, Yogeshwar (66kg freestyle) -- bronze medalist from London -- will be keen to better the colour of the medal in Rio while Narsingh (74kg) can finally put all the problems aside and concentrate on his game on the mat. <br /><br />Aug 14-21: Medal rounds from 6:30 pm IST.</p>
<p>A surfeit of action awaits as the race for gold begins in right earnest in Rio. Here’s a quick guide to the contests to look out for in the playfields of the Brazilian city </p>.<p>Tennis <br /><br />A spate of pullouts in both men’s and women’s sections owing to Zika virus may have reduced tennis’ competitive edge. Roger Federer’s dream of winning an Olympic gold may remain just that after the Swiss ace withdrew citing an injury while Rafael Nadal continues to be doubtful starter despite arriving in Rio. In such a scenario, the onus lies on Briton Andy Murray and Serbian World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to whip up passions. For the record, Djokovic had lost the 2012 London final to Muray.<br /><br />Fresh from her record-equalling 22nd Slam win, Serena Williams will eye a repeat of her golden double in women’s section.<br /><br />India will bank on their men’s double pair Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna though their best hopes may lie in mixed doubles competitions. <br /><br />Aug 6-11: Preliminary rounds (7:15 pm). Aug 12: Men’s singles semifinals (8:30 pm). Aug 14: Final (8:30 pm).<br /><br />Aug 11: Doubles semifinals (3:15 am onwards). Aug 12: Final (8:30 pm). <br /><br />Aug 11: Women singles semifinals (8:30 pm). Aug 13: Final (8:30 pm). <br /> <br />Aug 11: Doubles semifinals (8:30 pm). Aug 14: Final (8:30 pm). <br /><br />Aug 14: Mixed doubles final (8:30 pm).<br /><br />TABLE TENNIS<br /><br /><br />China's table tennis team travel to Rio de Janeiro under a cloud of controversy as fans lament that even being the world champion does not guarantee a coveted Olympic singles spot in one of the world's most competitive sporting teams.<br /><br />The failure of world number one Liu Shiwen to clinch one of China's two spots in the competition was greeted with an outcry at home described by local news outlet Sina Sports as "one of the most tragic things to happen to the Chinese women's team in the last 20 years".<br /><br />The tough selection - which fell to defending London champion Li Xiaoxia and world number two Ding Ning - also underlines how China is likely to once again dominate the medal tables at Rio as it did in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.<br /><br />China won all four medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and repeated the feat at the 2012 London Olympics.<br /><br />August 6-8: Preliminary rounds (Starts at 5:30 pm). August 9: Quarterfinals (Starts at 6:30 pm). August 10: Women’s semifinals. August 11: Women’s final (6.00 am). Men’s semis: (6.30 pm); August 12: Men’s final (6.00 am). Team finals: August 17 &18. (3.00 am).<br /><br />HOCKEY<br /><br />Germany, Netherlands and Australia — the three superpowers of modern hockey — will once again resume the battle for the bragging rights when the competition kicks off on Saturday with the latter being the hungrier of the trio.<br /><br />Australia, world champions on the last two occasions (2010 & 2014), have strangely found the Olympic puzzle a hard one to crack. Barring the gold in 2004 Athens, the Kookaburras have repeatedly fallen flat at the semifinal hurdle, ending up with bronze medals since Sydney 2000.<br /><br />While they’ve conquered the Champions Trophy and World League Finals with some authority, their disappointment at Olympics has been baffling even to them. So in a bid to rectify that anomaly, they’ve traveled to Rio with a strong squad featuring 10 Olympians and six others determined to make an impact. They’ve been in superb form of late and stopping them will take some doing.<br /><br />Germany somehow manage to come up with their best at the Olympics despite their limitations. Many players don’t last for too long owing to lack of job opportunities but the steady supply of young talent and their workmanlike spirit has seen them claim gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. They’ve struggled in the build-up to the Games but one knows that doesn’t count for anything.<br /><br />The Netherlands, silver medallists four years ago, will be seeking to reclaim the gold they won in 1996 and 2000. They’ve been slowly building up good form and pitted along with Germany in Pool B, they will have their task cut out.<br /><br />India’s first goal would to be to make it to the quarterfinals after which they’ll be looking to bring out their best in the hope of pulling off a surprise or two.<br /><br />Aug 6-12: Group phase; Aug 14: Quarterfinals (Start at 6.30 pm); Aug 16: Semifinals (Start at 8.30 pm); Aug 20: Final (at 1.30 am).<br /><br />ATHLETICS<br /><br />* Sprints: Justin Gatlin dreams of parading around the United States with the 100M gold medal. If Usain Bolt is fit and fine, Gatlin’s dream will remain a dream. The Jamaican is not yet in great shape after a hamstring injury and therein lies the American’s hope. Tension will rise, sparks will fly but just don’t miss the sprinting action, be it 100 or 200.<br /><br />100M: Final: August 15 7.00 am<br /><br />200M Final: August 19, 7.00 am<br /><br />* 400M: There are three worthy contenders here. South African Wayde van Neikerk is the world champion, Grenadian Kirani James is the defending champion and American LaShawn Merritt is the 2008 champion. The build up phase has been interesting for a contest that each one of them desperately wants to win.<br /><br />Final: August 15, 6.30 am<br /><br />* 5000-10000M: Mo Farah has another double in his sight. Will the Kenyans or Ethiopians be able to halt the British juggernaut? Farah has poure cold water over the African plans in every big meet in recent times, and even a controversy over his choice of coach or training venues hasn’t affected his form on track. Double-double? The defending champion is game.<br /><br />5000M: Final: August 21, 6.00am <br /><br />10000M: Final: August 14, 5.55 am<br /><br />* Women: Sprints: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, champion in 2008 and 2012, can complete a unique triple with victory in the 100M. The 2008 and 2012 champion has worthy rivals in Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers, with the former having run a sizzling 10.70 this season. Fraser-Pryce, though, ups the level in big meets and would be primed for Rio. <br /><br />Schippers, the rising star, will have her designs in the 200M, where she clocked a stunning 21.63 at the Beijing World Championships.<br /><br />100M: Final: August 14, 7.05 am<br /><br />200M: Final: August 18, 7.00 am<br /><br />Athletics runs from August 12 to 21</p>.<p>SWIMMING</p>.<p>* Determined to rewrite his farewell script that didn’t go as per plans in London, Michael Phelps will be the star in action as a heady combination of Olympic and world champions converge at the Aquatics Stadium.<br /><br />Phelps, holder of a mind-boggling 22 Olympic medals (18 golds), had built a legendary status eight years ago in Beijing but the quest for greatness has kept his fire burning. While the aura has diminished a bit, the 31-year-old will be the man to beat in the three individual events he’s competing -- 100M butterfly, 200M butterfly and 200M individual medley.<br /><br />Teen sensation Katie Ledecky, who is rated highly by Phelps himself, is another star waiting to make the Rio Games all her own. Winner of four individual golds at last year's world championships, Ledecky will be competing in three individual events -- 200, 400 & 800 -- where she’s not tipped to just win it but set world records.<br /><br />One country that would be desperate to make an impression is Australia. London 2012 saw the once mighty nation slump to its worst performance. <br /><br />Hungary, Italy, France and the Netherlands all have potential medal winners too. South Africa’s Chad le Clos (200m butterfly) and Cameron van der Burgh (100m backstroke) will be keen to defend their gold medals.<br /><br />August 6-13: Finals from 10 am IST.</p>.<p>WRESTLING <br /><br /><br />* Japanese grapplers Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho look on course for fourth successive gold medals in their respective classes in women’s freestyle, India’s medal hopes hang heavily on the duo of Narsingh Yadav and Yogeshwar Dutt.<br /><br />In one of the few sports still having their roots in the Ancient Olympics, Yogeshwar (66kg freestyle) -- bronze medalist from London -- will be keen to better the colour of the medal in Rio while Narsingh (74kg) can finally put all the problems aside and concentrate on his game on the mat.<br /> <br />Aug 14-21: Medal rounds from 6:30 pm IST.</p>.<p>GYMNASTICS </p>.<p>* With 14 world championship medals and four consecutive national championships gold under her belt, United States’ Simone Biles will easily be one of the best athletes to watch out for at the Rio Olympics.<br /><br />The US, with a rich history in gymnastics, will look to repeat the 2012 London Olympics feat of a team championship gold and the 19-year-old Biles will be a vital cog in their wheel.<br /><br />In the men’s section, the experienced warhorse Kohei Uchimura of Japan will be under the spotlight once again. <br /><br />August 6-7: Preliminary rounds (7:00 pm onwards). <br /><br />August 9-12 & 14-16: Medal rounds (12:30 am) and (10:30 pm).</p>.<p>BADMINTON<br /><br />* The last time China’s Lin Dan and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei faced off at the quadrennial bash, it was the final at London. And though the Chinese great was pushed to the limit, he eventually prevailed to clinch his second Olympic gold.<br /><br />But getting the gold medal around his neck for a record third time could prove to be tough affair for Super Dan for two reasons — a tricky knockout stage and a dangerous looking Lee Chong Wei.<br /><br />The 32-year-old will possibly have to overcome the challenge from fifth seed Jan Jorgensen of Denmark in the quarters before taking the court for the much-anticipated clash against Lee Chong Wei in the semis. And if that happens, be prepared for a treat.<br /><br />Chong Wei has had a commendable season since his return to the international scene after the eight-month doping ban in late 2014. <br /><br />August 11-14: Preliminary rounds (Starts at 4:30 pm)<br /><br />August 17: Quarterfinals (Starts at 5:00 pm). August 19: Semifinals (Starts at 5:00 pm)<br />August 20: Final (5:00 pm).<br /><br />WRESTLING<br /><br />* Japanese grapplers Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho look on course for fourth successive gold medals in their respective classes in women’s freestyle, India’s medal hopes hang heavily on the duo of Narsingh Yadav and Yogeshwar Dutt.<br /><br />In one of the few sports still having their roots in the Ancient Olympics, Yogeshwar (66kg freestyle) -- bronze medalist from London -- will be keen to better the colour of the medal in Rio while Narsingh (74kg) can finally put all the problems aside and concentrate on his game on the mat. <br /><br />Aug 14-21: Medal rounds from 6:30 pm IST.</p>
