Olympic TV highlights

Before the Games officially begin with Friday's opening ceremony (at which Australian star Olivia Newton-John will perform), before most folks think to tune in to NBC and its cable affiliates, MSNBC and CNBC - for hundreds of hours of viewing some of the 10,000 athletes converging on Sydney - there are exciting pre-opening-ceremony contests to catch as well.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13

MSNBC (6:30-9 p.m.): Soccer (men) - US vs. Czech Republic

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14

MSNBC (6:30-9 p.m.): Soccer (women) - US vs. Norway

FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

NBC (7:30 p.m.-midnight): Opening Ceremony

SATURDAY, SEPT. 16

NBC (7 p.m.-midnight): Swimming - women's 400m Medley; men's 400m Free; women's 4x100m Free; men's 4x100m Free

Triathlon (women)

Gymnastics (men)

(12:41-2:11 a.m.): Volleyball (women) - US vs. China

SUNDAY, SEPT. 17

NBC (7 p.m.-midnight): Swimming - women's 100m Fly and 400m Free; men's 100m Breast and 400m Medley

Triathlon (men)

Gymnastics (women)

Weightlifting (men)

MSNBC (9 a.m.-4 p.m.): Baseball - US vs. Japan

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