What to watch at the Rio Games on Thursday
Wed., Aug. 10, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO – Day 6 of the Rio Games features medal action in gymnastics, rugby, track cycling, swimming, fencing, judo and more. Here are some things to watch (all times local):
Gymnastics
American Simone Biles gets set for the women’s individual all around. She won the world championships in 2013, 2014 and 2105. Alexandra Raisman, who also shared in the U.S. team gold Tuesday, is in Biles’ rotation. The two start on the vault.
Keep an eye on Biles’ floor routine: It includes a move she created and which is named for her.
American Gabby Douglas is the defending Olympic champion, but will be on the sidelines Thursday.
A day earlier, Japan’s Kohei Uchimura added to his amazing record in the individual all around: He won the worlds in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was the defending gold medalist.
Swimming
Two days after winning his 20th and 21st golds, Michael Phelps looks for another. He advanced to the final of the 200-meter individual medley as the top qualifier Wednesday and will swim right next to longtime rival Ryan Lochte.
Phelps will be seeking his fourth straight 200 IM title at the Olympics.
Earlier in the day, at 2:16 p.m., he swims in qualifiers for the 100m butterfly, an event for which he holds the world record.
The gritty and seemingly unstoppable Katie Ledecky is also back in the pool, this time to qualify for the 800m freestyle. Fans shouldn’t be too worried: Ledecky set the world record in the event in January. Oh, she also set the three prior world records. She earned her third gold of the games Wednesday night in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
Later, the world and Olympic record holding Americans look to qualify for the finals of the 4x100 meter medley relay.
Medals also will be awarded in the women’s 200m breaststroke finals and in the men’s 200m backstroke final.
Golf
Golf tees off for the first time at the Olympics since 1904 as the men start their first round play at Olympic Golf Course. It’s a links-style layout stretching 7,128 yards and built in the hopes it can both challenge some of the world’s best in Rio and then grow the game in Brazil.
The professionals in Rio include Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler, Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson. But officials here are still hoping a good show offsets the negative publicity that arose as the world’s top four players dropped out because of Zika worries.
The first tee shot will be struck by Brazilian Adilson da Silva, who learned to play using tree branches for clubs.
Rugby
Powerhouse Fiji goes against surprising Japan and South Africa faces Great Britain to get to the finals.
The Americans missed out by one kick Wednesday after New England Patriots player Nate Ebner scored on Fiji with just a minute to go.
Table tennis
The gold medal match for men’s singles table tennis is set. China’s Ma Long and Zhang Jike are both into the semifinals, and we’re sure to see how the subtleties of spin dictate the winner.
Beach volleyball
Americans Philip Dalhausser and Nicholas Lucena take on Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo of Italy. One surprise this Olympics has been the progression of the Canadian players on the beach.
Track cycling
The men’s sprint team finals are being held and, aside from the athletes, the bikes just may be the stars of the show. Some high-tech equipment will be on display to help shave seconds off the clock.
Tennis
Much of the competition had to be pushed back on Wednesday because of rain.
Fencing
The women’s team epee gold medal match is set. Hungary’s Emese Szasz took top honors in the individuals.
Volleyball
Host Brazil plays the U.S. men.
Judo
Women and men compete for medals in the half heavyweight divisions (78kg and 100kg, respectively), with bouts taking place through the day. Japan swept the golds in the middleweight divisions on Wednesday.
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