2012 Olympics: 5 Can't-Miss Events for Aug. 2

U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas

Gabby and Aly, Rafalca and our last glimpse of Lochte vs. Phelps highlight today's slate from London. Here's the Fab Five for Aug. 2, which will highlight NBC's prime-time schedule starting at 8 pm Eastern:

1. Women's Gymnastics Individual Finals
It's the Aly and Gabby show, as U.S. team star Jordyn Wieber watches the All Around finals from the sidelines thanks to the arcane two-gymnasts-per-country rule. Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas will carry the U.S. banner, with Douglas a stronger threat to medal in one of the most eagerly awaited events of any Olympic Games.

2. Men's 200m Individual Medley
Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps go head to head for the second time in these games. Round 1 — the 400m individual medley — went to Lochte, the highlight of what for him has been a slightly disappointing performance. Anything Phelps does at this point is gravy for history's most decorated Olympian, but there's no doubt he'd love another gold at the expense of the guy who came into these games riding a larger hype wave. It would be an unprecedented third gold in a row for Phelps in this event.

3. Men's Volleyball: U.S. vs. Brazil
It's a rematch of the gold medal game from Beijing, as the Americans try to take down the gold medal favorites. The Brazilians will be looking for redemption after falling to the U.S. in a thrilling upset four years ago.

4. Judo - Women's 78kg Finals
American Kayla Harrison is going for her country's first-ever gold medal in judo, but she won't have the crowd in her corner as she faces Great Britain's Gemma Gibbons.

5. Dressage
Usually, politics and sports shouldn't mix, but it's a little unavoidable tonight, as Ann Romney's horse Rafalca makes her Olympic debut, ridden by Jan Ebeling. Say this for Romney — he's certainly created more equestrian jobs than his opponent.

See more 2012 Olympics coverage.
 

Follow me on Twitter @AthlonDoster