Day-by-day best bets

You won't be able to see everything this August, but we've found the Olympic must-sees for every day of the Games. Plus, we list the events you might still be able to score tickets for

Friday 8

Must-see

The Opening Ceremony – Zhang Yimou's opening ceremony is likely to huge, glitzy, bombastic and bizarre. The Bird's Nest, 8pm.

 

Saturday 9

Must-see

The badminton preliminaries – China's badminton team boasts the top four women in the world and three of the top four men. Catch players like male world number one Lin Dan and top female Xie Xingfang. Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, 9am-midday, 2pm-4.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Weightlifting: Women's 48kg final – Three-time world champion Wang Mingjuan is the favourite to win China's first gold of these Games. Beijing University of Aeronautics and Asronautics, starts 10am.

Shooting finals – If Wang doesn't win China's first gold, shooter Du Li might in the women's 10m air rifle final here. Also see the men's 10m air pistol and trap finals. Beijing Shooting Complex, 8.30am-3.50pm.

 

Sunday 10

Must-see

Swimming: Men's 400m freestyle final – the first step in US superstar Michael Phelps' quest for eight gold medals. Watch out for China's third-ranked Zhang Lin, 21. Water Cube, Event 3, morning session (10am-midday).

Diving: Women's 3m springboard synchronised final – The comely Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia go for China's first diving gold. Water Cube, 2.30pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Beach volleyball: Men's and women's preliminaries – A beach, a cracking sport and a few Chinese medal hopes. Oh, and China's best cheerleaders in their skimpiest outfits. Chaoyang Park, 9am-2.50pm, 6pm-11.50pm.

 

Monday 11

Must-see

Diving: Men's 10m platform synchronised final – The Chinese pair of Lin Yue and Huo Liang (barring injury) are favourites, but look out for the British pair of Blake Aldridge and 14-year-old Tom Daley, who took bronze in February's World Cup. Water Cube, starts 2.30pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Shooting finals – Gao E and Zhu Qinan are both hot contenders for gold medals in the women's trap and men's 10m air rifle respectively. Beijing Shooting Complex, session 9am-4.15pm.

 

Tuesday 12

Must-see

Gymnastics: Men's team final – A chance to see a first gymnastics gold for China – the men's team are the world champions and strong favourites. National Indoor Stadium, starts 10am.

You might still get tickets for…

Weigtlifting: Men's 69kg and women's 63kg final – China took gold in both these events at the 2007 world championships, with Zhang Guozheng and Shi Zhiyong taking a one-two in the men's 69kg. Zhongguo jia you. Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium, 10am-2pm (men and women groups), 3.30pm-5.30pm (women's 63kg final), 7pm-9pm (men's 69kg final).

 

Wednesday 13

Must-see

Swimming: Men's 200m butterfly final – China's Wu Peng goes for China's first ever medal in men's swimming against Michael Phelps. Water Cube, Event 3, morning session 10am-11.50am.

You might still get tickets for…

Boxing: Men's preliminaries – See Chinese boxing captain Zou Shiming, amateur world champion in the 48kg category and the first Chinese boxer to have a real chance of a gold medal (See Sunday 24). Workers' Gymnasium, 1.30pm-5pm.

 

Thursday 14

Must-see

Gymnastics: Men's individual all-round final – Chinese world champion Wei Yang goes for gold. National Indoor Stadium, starts 11am.

You might still get tickets for…

Shooting: Women's skeet final – The Chinese team is very strong. Wei Ning took gold at the World Cup this year, and the team dominated at last year's world championships. Beijing Shooting Complex, Event 3 of 3, session 9am-4.15pm.

 

Friday 15

Must-see

Swimming: Men's 200m backstroke final – Watch the rivalry between US pair Aaron Peirsol and Ryan Lochte, who finished 1-2 in both the 100m and 200m backstroke events at last year's World Championships, where Lochte won the 200m with a world record. Water Cube, Event 3 of 11, morning session 10am-11.30am.

You might still get tickets for…

Judo: Women’s 78kg+ – Watch world champion Tong Wen go for an Olympic gold. Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium, Penultimate event of evening session, 6pm-7.30pm.

 

Saturday 16

Must-see

Athletics: Men's 100m final – American world champion Tyson Gay takes on the Jamaican pair Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, the world record holder and former record holder, respectively. Could be the best in a long time. The Bird's Nest, Event 10 of 10, evening session 7pm-10.40pm.

Swimming: Women's 200m backstroke final – Kirsty Coventry, who is expected to win four medals for Zimbabwe (her medals are likely to be the only ones the country picks up), goes against France's Laure Manadou and China's Zhao Jing, ranked two and three, respectively. Water Cube, Event 1, morning session 10am-11.20am.

You might still get tickets for…

Rowing: Women's double sculls final – Watch world champions Qin Li and Liang Tian go for China's first Olympic rowing gold. Shunyi Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Park, Event 18 of 23, session 2pm-6pm.

 

Sunday 17

Must-see

Swimming: Men's 4 x 100m medley relay final – Could be the gold that makes history for America's Michael Phelps. Water Cube, Event 6, morning session (10am-11.30am).

Swimming: Men's 1500m freestyle final – Can China's Zhang Lin upset Grant Hackett at the Aussie legend's last Olympics? Water Cube, Event 2, morning session 10am-11.30am.   

Gymnastics: Women's vault final – China's Cheng Fei is the hot favourite in this. Look out for "The Cheng," considered the most difficult vault move ever completed (no one else has done it). National Indoor Stadium, Event 7 of 8, evening session 6pm-9pm.

Badminton: Men's singles final – Can world number one Lin Dan take Olympic gold? Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, Event 4 of 5, evening session 6.30pm-10pm.

Diving: Women's 3m springboard final – Beijing poster girl Guo Jingjing takes on compatriot Wu Minxia. Water Cube, starts 8.30pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Marathon: Women's final – You don't need tickets to watch part of what will be a fascinating race. China's Zhou Chunxia and Britain's Paula Radcliffe (barring injury) are the favourites. Starts Tiananmen Square, around 7.30am, finishes at the Bird's Nest around 9.45am.

 

Monday 18

Must-see

Athletics: Men's long jump final – Panama is not known for Olympic prowess, but Panamanian Irving Saladino is the current world champion and the man to beat here. The Bird's Nest, Event 2 of 9, evening session 7pm-10.10pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Trampoline: Women's final – A spectacular sport and more medal chances for Chinese athletes, who took second, fourth and sixth at last year's World Championships. National Indoor Stadium, starts 8.15pm.

 

Tuesday 19

Must-see

Athletics: Women's 400m final – One for the Brits, with world champion Christine Ohuruogu going for gold. The Bird's Nest, Event 8 of 10, evening session 7pm-10.50pm.

Athletics: Men's 1,500m final – Can Bernard Lagat make history by becoming the first American to win the 1,500m and 5,000m finals? The Bird's Nest, Event 10 of 10, evening session 7pm-10.50pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Football: Men's semi-finals – The Worker’s Stadium is big enough that there might be a few seats going. A rare chance to see world class players in Beijing. The Worker's Stadium, kick-off 7pm.

 

Wednesday 20

Must-see

Athletics: Men's 200m final – America's Tyson Gay could be going for a sprint double but will again have to beat Jamaica's Usain Bolt. The Bird's Nest, Event 7 of 8, evening session 7pm-11.10pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Marathon swimming: Women's 10km final – South African amputee Natalie Du Toit goes for a historic medal in the non-para Games. Shunyi Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Park, 9am.

 

Thursday 21

Must-see

Athletics: Men's 110m hurdles final – Never has one man's race meant so much to so many as Liu Xiang (pictured) in this one (which perhaps explains why Liu's legs are insured for US$13.3 million). Watch out for Cuban world record holder Dayron Robles. This is likely to be the defining moment of the Olympics. The Bird's Nest, Event 10 of 11, evening session 7pm-10.15pm.

Athletics: Men's 400m final – The US attempt to repeat their 1-2-3 at the World Championships. The Bird's Nest, Event 8 of 11, evening session 7pm-10.15pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Softball: Women's final – America's women have dominated for a long time, but China's team has been improving fast. This could be a great US-China battle. Fengtai Softball Field, starts 5pm.

 

Friday 22

Must-see

Athletics: Women's 5,000m final – Chinese teen Xue Fei goes up against the formidable Ethiopian runners. The Bird's Nest, Event 7 of 10, evening session 7pm-10.20pm.

Athletics: Men's 4 x 100m relay – One of the most fun events of the Games, this one looks like a straight race between the US and Jamaica. The Bird's Nest, Event 10f 10, evening session 7pm-10.20pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Beach volleyball: Men's final – Can China's second-ranked Wu Penggen and Xu Linyin win it in front of a home crowd? Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground, Event 2 of 3 (session includes the bronze medal match), morning session 9am-12.30pm.

 

Saturday 23

Must-see

Table tennis: Men's singles final – Will China make it four golds in table tennis? Expect top-ranked Wang Hao and Ma Lin to be there or thereabouts. Peking University Gymnasium, Event 2 of 3, evening session 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Diving: Men's 10m platform final – Chinese stars Lin Yue and Zhou Luxin take on German number one Sascha Klein, world champion Gleb Galperin and sixth-ranked British prodigy Tom Daley. Water Cube, 8pm.

Volleyball: Women's final – China's team is legendary after becoming the first Chinese team to win a world event in 1981. Capital Gymnasium, 8pm-10.10pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Field Hockey: Men's final – Germany, Australia and the Netherlands are the favourites for this. Expect high levels of skill and intensity. Olympic Green Hockey Stadium, Event 2 of 3 (also includes bronze medal match), evening session 6pm-11pm.

 

Sunday 24

Must-see

Basketball: Men's final – Some say that LeBron James is the most popular sportsman in China, so the country will be mad for this one whether or not it gets close (the US probably will). Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, Event 2 of 3 (men's bronze and gold medal matches), session midday-5pm.

Boxing: Men's 48kg final – Can Zou Shiming win China's first ever boxing gold? Workers' Gymnasium, starts 1.30pm.

You might still get tickets for…

Water polo: Men's final – The last chance to sneak a peek at the wonderful Water Cube. Starts 1pm.

Marathon: Men's final – Watch Kenyan favourite Martin Lel and savour the last day of the Games (sob). Starts at Tiananmen Square, around 7.30am, finishes at the Bird's Nest around 9.30am.