FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 11th, 2016

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES – AUG. 11 DAYTIME HIGHLIGHTS ON THE NETWORKS OF NBCUNIVERSAL

Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte Battle for Gold One Final Time Tonight in Primetime on NBC in 200m IM Final

Simone Biles and Aly Raisman Compete for Team USA in Women’s Gymnastics All-Around Competition


STAMFORD, Conn. – August 11, 2016 – Coming up tonight on NBC Olympics’ coverage of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

 

  • Swimming coverage continues tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, live (ET/CT), as Michael Phelps duels U.S. teammate Ryan Lochte in the men’s 200m IM final, where Phelps could become the first swimmer to win the same individual event four times. Other swimming finals include the women’s 200m breaststroke; the men’s 200m backstroke, where Australian Mitch Larkin could snap a U.S. winning streak dating back to 1996; and the women’s 100m free, headlined by Aussie sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell.
  • In Gymnastics, Americans Simone Biles and Aly Raisman compete in the women’s all-around event, in search of the U.S.’s fourth consecutive gold medal in the event.

Click here for a preview of tonight’s primetime action.

Following are highlights from today’s coverage of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on NBC and the networks of NBCUniversal:

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NBC daytime host Mike Tirico previewed tonight’s women’s gymnastics all-around event with analyst Nastia Liukin.

Tirico on Simone Biles and Aly Raisman’s chances: “Is there anyone who can stop these two ladies from being first and second?”

Liukin: “I don’t think so. I think if they do what they have been doing all week long here in Rio there is no chance that anybody can top them.”

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SWIMMING – NBC

Analyst Rowdy Gaines on the half hour between the 200 IM final and 100m fly semifinal for Michael Phelps tonight on NBC: “It’s going to be the most important 35 minutes of his Olympic career, potentially, at least for those specific two races. He’s always been able to do it in the past. He’s 31 years old though. He’s a completely different human being than he was eight years ago when he could do that with ease.”

Gaines on South Africa’s Chad le Clos, known for looking at his competitors, following the 100m fly heat: “‘Curious George’ has been known to look to his left or right to see where they’re at…I need to tell that guy, hasn’t he ever heard that curiosity killed the cat? You can’t do that in the 100m – you’ve got to look straight ahead…he was four one-hundredths off of second place.”

Gaines on Missy Franklin prior to the 200m backstroke heat: “This is her bread and butter. This is her event…if she’s got any chance to get back in there, it will be the 200m backstroke.”

Gaines on Maya DiRado’s chances in the women’s 200m backstroke:  “I think she has a great chance. She has got that hot hand. She has been so good in the IMs and she was so good in the relay last night. She has nothing to lose here. She has a gold, silver and bronze. Everything is looking bright for Maya DiRado in this event.”

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BEACH VOLLEYBALL – NBC

Play-by-play announcer Chris Marlowe on the three-set win by the U.S. men’s team of Phil Dalhauser and Nick Lucena over Italy, culminating with a 24-22 third set win: “A standing ovation for an incredible match. Good friends and worthy adversaries.”

Analyst Kevin Wong: “The match of the Olympic Games so far. Master skills by all four players.”

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JUDO – NBCSN

Play-by-play announcer Steve Schlanger on American Kayla Harrison, winning her second consecutive gold medal: “The 26-year-old from Ohio, now living in Massachusetts, thought about retiring after London and pursuing her original goal of becoming a firefighter, but after a while she realized something was missing. She had the gold medal (from London)…”

Analyst Leo White in response: “…but she had the ambition of being the best ever, being remembered for her legacy, and now that is not in doubt.”

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TENNIS – BRAVO

Analyst James Blake on Rafael Nadal’s passion for the Olympics, during his third-round win over France’s Gilles Simon: “His emotion after every one of these matches is just great to see. Also to note, for young players who think you should take anything or any win for granted, that man does not – and he has won a lot more than just about anyone in the world. It just shows how much these Olympics mean to him, playing for his country. What he is going to put his body through this week is a testament for how much he cares.”

 

ABOUT NBC OLYMPICS

A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. The 2012 London Olympics were watched by 217 million Americans across the networks of NBCUniversal, making it the most-watched event in U.S. television history.

 

-RIO 2016-