The Olympics officially begins today! With all the questions surrounding whether or not the Olympics would take place this year after postponing the Games for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a lot of excitement too, whether it’s Alex Morgan and the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT), Katie Ledecky and USA Swimming, Simone Biles and USA Gymnastics, or the United States basketball teams.
Opening Ceremony
When: Today, 6:55 AM ET (There will be an encore at 7:30 PM ET)
How to watch it: NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports App
Where: Olympic Stadium
How to watch the Olympic Games
The Games will be televised across NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, Golf Channel, CNBC, Olympic Channel, Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC Sports App.
Will there be spectators at the Olympics?
Due to the surprising increase in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo and all across Japan, there won’t be spectators at any of the events this year. It’s unknown if there will be spectators for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, which is right around the corner.
Where can I find a full schedule for the Olympics?
You can find a full schedule here.
Predictions
I made predictions using ESPN’s Tokyo Pick’em. Here is what I think will happen during this year’s Games:
The United States will win the most medals.
The United States will win the gold medal in Women’s Soccer.
Brazil will win the gold medal in Men’s Soccer.
Under 8.5 total USA rowing, diving, and fencing medals.
The United States will win a medal on July 24.
The United States will win the gold medal in Women’s 3×3 Basketball.
Any other nation (not Netherlands, Latvia, or Serbia) will win the gold medal in Men’s 3×3 Basketball.
Over 29.5 total USA swimming medals.
The United States will win the gold medal in Men’s Basketball (but it’s closer than you think, this team is not as strong as it’s been in past Olympic years).
Katie Ledecky (USA) will win 4 or more gold medals.
The United States will win the gold medal in Men’s Team Gymnastics.
The United States will not lose a game in Women’s Basketball.
The United States will win the gold medal in Women’s Team Gymnastics.
Simone Biles (USA) will win the gold medal in Women’s Gymnastics All-Around.
Under 3.5 total USA wrestling medals.
Sydney McLaughlin (USA) will win the gold medal in the Women’s 400m Hurdles.
Dina Asher-Smith (GBR) will win the gold medal in the Women’s 100m.
Ronnie Baker (USA) will win the gold medal in the Men’s 100m.
Noah Lyles (USA) will win the gold medal in the Men’s 200m.
The United States will not win gold in both the Men’s and Women’s 4×100 Relay.
Calhoun's Corner 