Let the games begin! Day one of the London 2012 Olympic Games is officially underway across the pond in Great Britain, and several local athletes will complete in Saturday’s events.
Event: Rowing at 1:30 p.m.
Locals to watch: Sarah Zelenka, Megan Kalmoe, Grant James and Ross James
Buzz: Zelenka of Itasca, Ill. will compete in the Women’s Rowing Pair. She is in a tough heat with Great Britain, Romania, Germany and Argentina.
Kalmoe, of St. Croix Falls Wis. will compete in the Quadruple Skulls Rowing. She and her partner Ellen Tomek won their Olympic ticket after the women's double sculls.
The James twins are the only veterans from the 2008 U.S. Men’s Eight Rowing Team competing in this year’s event. During the Beijing Games, the team failed to qualify for the Olympics and this year the boys are looking to change their luck.
Event: Swimming at 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. and Finals at 7 p.m.
Locals to watch: Conor Dwyer, Peter Vanderkaay and Allison Schmitt
Buzz: Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte may be the main attraction in the pool, but don’t count out Winnetka native Conor Dwyer or Michigan swimmer Peter Vanderkaay during the 400-meter Freestyle race. Dwyer won two NCAA titles, one in the 200-meter and one in the 500-meter. He earned his Olympic berth, however, in the 400-meter, an event he had not swum in nearly two years. His fourth-place finish in the 200-meter, behind Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, put him in a good position to possible bring home a medal.
Vanderkaay is a seasoned Olympian who won the 400-meter freestyle event in Omaha. He was also a member of the 4x200 meter relay team that set the world record in 2008 during the Beijing Games.
Former Olympian Schmitt will also be competing Saturday in the Women's 400-meter freestyle relay. She won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Event: Gymnastics at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Locals to watch: Sam Milkulak
Buzz: Mikulak of Ann Arbor, Michigan secured his spot after placing at the Visa Championships and succeeding during the trials, though an injury had many questioning his ability to perform.
Event: Women's Soccer at 11 a.m. on NBC Sports channel
Locals to watch: Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney and Amy LePeilbet
Buzz: Team USA began its bid for a third straight women's soccer gold medal. They rallied from an early two-goal deficit with two goals from Alex Morgan to beat France on Wednesday, 4-2. The women will play against Colombia, who made their debut at the Games on Wednesday.
Event: Women's Basketball Preliminary Round at 10:45 a.m.
Locals to watch: Seimone Augustus, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, Candace Parker and Lindsay Whalen
Buzz: Team USA will play Coatia in their preliminary round Saturday. The women head into London looking to become the third team ever to win five consecutive gold medals.
Event: Shooting at 5a.m. on NBC Sports
Locals to watch: Daryl Szarenski
Buzz: The U.S. has not won gold in this event since Nancy Johnson in 2000. Szarenski of Saginaw, Mich. will compete in the Shooting 10-meter Air Pistol Qualification and a chance end that drought. He is one of 21 Olympic athletes heading into their fourth Olympic Games.
Event: Tennis at 6 a.m. - 2p.m on Bravo
Locals to watch: Donald Young
Buzz: This Chicago native will compete in the Men's Singles Tennis. He comes from a line of tennis athletes. His parents are both tennis teaching professionals and run South Fulton Tennis Center in College Park, Georgia. Starting tennis at age three, Young has consistently been a young legend in competitive tennis.
For a full list of all of today's events along with real-time results and Live Streams of the events, check out NBCOlympics.com.
