Day 8: What to Watch For

SWIMMING Michael Phelps will compete in his final individual race, the 100-meter butterfly, where he is again going for a third consecutive gold in an event. In this race four years ago, he barely out-touched Milorad Cavic. Cavic is in this year’s race, but eyes will instead be on Chad Le Clos, who gave Phelps a taste of his own medicine in the 200 butterfly. The Americans Elizabeth Beisel and Missy Franklin have the two fastest times heading into the 200 backstroke final. But Friday’s session will also feature the shortest men’s race and the longest women’s race. And the story line is redemption in each. James (The Missile) Magnussen has had a disappointing Olympics, as has the whole Australian team; he has one last shot for individual gold in the 50 freestyle. Rebecca Adlington of Britain, shut out of the medals in the 400 free, attempts to repeat as Olympic champion in the 800 free. nbcolympics.com, 2:30 p.m.; NBC, 8 p.m. (taped)

WOMEN’S SOCCER The tournament heads to the knockout stage, with the United States facing New Zealand in the quarterfinals at St. James’ Park in Newcastle. The Americans, who are playing a team that had never advanced to the knockout stage of a World Cup or an Olympics, have a fairly easy draw compared with those in the bottom half. The world champion Japan, which played for a tie in its last group match in order to stay in Cardiff rather than travel to Glasgow for its quarterfinal, created a matchup against high-powered Brazil. France and Sweden meet in a rematch of the third-place game at last year’s World Cup. NBCSN, 9:30 a.m.

TRACK AND FIELD The first day of competition at Olympic Stadium will feature only two medal events — men’s shot put and the women’s 10,000 meters — but the home crowd will be riveted to the popular British heptathlete Jessica Ennis, the world champion in 2009 and runner-up last year. She is making her Olympic debut. NBC, 10 a.m