Day 14: What to Watch For

TRACK AND FIELD At the Jamaican Olympic trials, Yohan Blake did the unthinkable: he caught Usain Bolt from behind in the 200 meters. But the Olympic race is what matters to Bolt, who is trying to become the first man to win the 100 and 200 at back-to-back Olympics (nbcolympics.com, 3:55 p.m.). The decathlon finishes up with two Americans, Ashton Eaton and Trey Hardee, on top of the standings after the first five events. Other finals Thursday are in the men’s 800, men’s triple jump and women’s javelin. Oscar Pistorius is expected back on the track, competing for South Africa in heats of the men’s 4×400 relay, and heats in the women’s 4×100 relay will also be under way. The United States and Jamaica are expected to be the top contenders – as long as the Americans can get the handoffs right. NBC, 8 p.m. (taped)

SOCCER Perhaps you’ve heard: the United States women are playing Japan for the gold medal in a rematch of the World Cup final. “It’s not so much that the strongest team wins,” said Japan Coach Norio Sasaki, “but whoever wins is the strongest.” NBCSN, 2:45 p.m.

WATER POLO The United States is also playing for a women’s water polo gold medal against Spain. The teams tied, 9-9, in the preliminary round. Spain is in the Olympic tournament for the first time, while the Americans are seeking their first gold after finishing second in Sydney and Beijing and third in Athens. NBC, 3 p.m.

BASKETBALL The United States men dispatched Australia on Wednesday, and the American women take their turn against the Aussies on Thursday. The United States and Australia have played each other in the last three Olympics finals, with the Americans winning each time. This time, they will meet in the semifinals. NBCSN, Noon.

VOLLEYBALL In search of their first Olympic gold medal, the top-ranked American women meet South Korea in the semifinals. The United States beat South Korea, 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21, in its opening match of pool play. The Americans have lost only two sets in the tournament. NBC, 10 a.m.

CANOE Josefa Idem, a 47-year-old Italian competing in the women’s 500-meter kayak singles final, is the first woman to compete in eight Olympics. She won a bronze medal in her first Olympics, in Los Angeles in 1984. She added one gold, two silvers and a bronze in subsequent Games. The oldest woman to earn an Olympic gold medal was Sybil Newall, who was 53 years 275 days old when she won in archery in 1908. nbcolympics.com, 5:15 a.m.; NBC, 1 p.m. (taped)

BOXING The women’s lightweight title fight is expected to be Katie Taylor’s crowning moment. Taylor, from Ireland, is widely considered the best female boxer in the world, and her bouts so far have been routs in front of roaring fans. She will face her rival Sofya Ochigava of Russia, who added to the pre-fight hype by suggesting that Taylor gets preferential treatment from referees and officials. nbcolympics.com, 11:45 a.m. CNBC, 5 p.m. (taped)