The Olympics settle into the first weekday with gymnastics and swimming leading the way.
Gold: Gymnastics - Men's Team Final 11:30 a.m. (NBC will show in prime time) - The United States surprised everyone by leading team qualifying, with Danell Leyva leading the all-around. China and Japan were very shaky in qualifying with numerous big mistakes. Do the Americans have what it takes to capture the team gold? Bronx native John Orozco and double 2008 medalist Jonathan Horton will have to perform well. Also watch three-time world all-around champion Kohei Uchimura of Japan to rebound from his error-filled performances in qualifying.
Silver: Swimming - Men's 200 Meter Freestyle - 2:30 p.m. (NBC will show in prime rime) - Ryan Lochte is the defending world champion and looking to capture his second gold medal. The field is absolutely stacked as he will have to turn back no less than four strong challengers: 400 meter gold medalist Su Yang of China; Yannick Angel of France who has the world's fastest time in 2012 and anchored the French relay on Sunday, beating Lochte to win gold; Park Tae-Hwan of South Korea, the 2008 gold medalist at the 400 freestyle; and the world record holder and 2009 world champion Paul Biedermann of Germany.
Bronze: Volleyball - U.S. Women vs. Brazil - 11:45 a.m. (NBC) - It is early in the Games to pit the top two seeds, but that's what is on tap Monday. The Americans and Brazilians have been battling for supremacy over the last few years, with the Americans getting the upper hand more often than not, with the Americans winning the Grand Prix each of the last three seasons. American coach Hugh McCutcheon led the men to gold in Beijing and has turned the women into a world power. The Americans have a veteran squad with setter and captain Lindsay Berg in her third Olympics as is 6'7" Tayyiba Haneef-Park. Outside hitter Logan Tom is one of the best all-around players in the world and is playing in her fourth Olympics, and 39 year-old Danielle Scott-Arruda is in her fifth Games. However, the difference maker could well be Olympic rookie Destinee Hooker, a former NCAA high jump champion.
Also:
The American women's water polo team has never failed to medal at the Games, but they also have yet to capture gold. They begin play at 2:40 p.m. against Hungary (NBC).
British diver Tom Daley makes his London debut with partner Peter Waterfield in the platform synchronized event. The Chinese are the heavy favorites, Americans David Boudia and Nick McCrory should challenge for a medal as well. 10:00 a.m. (NBC will show in prime time)
The U.S. women's basketball team is back on the court against Angola at 5:15 p.m. (NBCSN)
