NBC 7 looks over the massive schedule of events from the 2016 Rio Olympics for Monday, August 8 and brings you seven moments to watch:
Women's Volleyball Seeks Redemption
Locals Karsta Lowe and Carli Lloyd and the U.S. women will square against the Netherlands in the preliminary stage of the women’s Olympic volleyball tourney.
After losing to Brazil in the gold medal match in back-to-back Olympics, the U.S. women will look to win the nation's first ever Olympic gold in the competition.
“The biggest thing about this team is that we want a challenge, we want it to be hard, we want to be tested,” setter Courtney Thompson told NBCOlympics.com. “I hope we get that chance.”
How to Watch: See the U.S. women battle the Netherlands live on your smartphone or desktop computer or live on NBC Sports at 11 a.m. PT.
Locals Compete on U.S. Water Polo vs Spain
Local
U.S. men’s water polo goaltender Merrill Moses has a medal to replace. Moses was a member of the team that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but the medal was stolen while he was on vacation. He said that’s provided motivation to win gold in Rio.
The team, along with locals Alex Bowen and Jesse Smith, competed in a preliminary match on Monday morning. Spain beat the U.S. in men's water polo, 10-9. That's the second loss for the men of Team USA. Watch a replay of the match here.
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Muslim Fencer from New Jersey to Make History
Ibtihaj Muhammad, the middle daughter of a retired detective and special education teacher, will make history Monday when she become the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab, the head scarf required of Muslim women.
The Maplewood, NJ native, ranked seventh in the world in the women’s saber, began fencing after her mother saw fencers practicing and suggested she try the sport because of its modest uniforms.
“I feel like I’ve been blessed to be in this position, to be given this platform,” said Muhammad. “When I think of my predecessors, and people who’ve spoken out against bigotry and hate, I feel like I owe it not just to myself but to my community to try and fight it.”
Michael Phelps Goes for More Gold
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with a record 22 medals, enters his fifth Olympic Games looking to add a few more to his treasure trove.
His first individual event will be the 200m butterfly, an event where Phelps already possesses two gold medals and one silver. While a number of incidents plagued Phelps following the 2012 London Games, the Olympian says he’s more focused than ever and determined to leave the sport on his own terms.
“I haven’t trained like this in a decade,” Phelps told Matt Lauer in an earlier TODAY interview. “I want to retire how I want to retire and I have a great opportunity to do that.”
How to Watch: Watch Phelp’s return to individual Olympic competition live on your smartphone or desktop computer. The preliminary heats will air live on NBC Sports at 9 a.m. PT. The semifinal is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET and will air in primetime coverage on NBC 7.
With New Partner, 3-Time Gold Medalist Walsh Jennings Aims for No. 4
Three-time Gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings and rival-turned-partner April Ross face China in the preliminary round of the women’s beach volleyball tournament. Walsh Jennings comes to Rio just a year removed from a serious shoulder injury that sidelined her most of the fall. While competing with Ross, she dislocated her right shoulder twice. She had surgery in September to repair her labrum, which had torn from the bone.
But Walsh Jennings believes the injury may ultimately be a blessing, as it forced her and Ross to learn how to rely on each other.
How to Watch: See the duo live on your smartphone or desktop computer here. Or you can watch live on NBC at 8 p.m. PT.
Team USA Basketball's Next Foe: Venezuela
After demolishing China 119-62 in their opening match, Team USA’s next opponent is a Venezuelan squad making their first Olympic appearance in the men’s tournament since 1992.
The game will feature a matchup of high school teammates as Venezuela’s best player Greivis Vasquez, a point guard for the Brooklyn Nets, and Kevin Durant square off.
How to Watch: See Team USA continue their march for gold against Venezuela live on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. The game will also air on NBC Sports at 3 p.m. PT.
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Field Hockey Looks to Build on Last-Place Finish
The U.S. women’s field hockey team finished last at the London Olympics, winning just one of its six games. Following the 2012 Games, the team brought in a new coach, Craig Parnham, and overhauled its system in the hopes of Olympic success in Rio.
The team enters the Olympics with its highest world ranking ever at fifth and a legitimate shot at a medal, something the U.S. hasn’t accomplished in the sport since 1984.
On Monday, the United States claimed its second straight win against a top-three team in women's field hockey, beating No. 3 Australia 2-1.
