Today's Events - Monday, July 30, 2012

Water Polo - Water Polo Arena/Olympic Park 2:10 PM (8:10 AM Central)
Game 1 - Women's Preliminary Round  - Group A
China vs. Spain
Game 2 - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B
Australia vs. Italy

Water polo has been an Olympic sport for men since 1900 and women since 2000 (really, it took one hundred years?).  On the women's side, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy and the US should contend for medals.

One of the most politically-charged sporting events of all times was a water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union at the 1956 Games in Melbourne.  The Soviets had only recently invaded Hungary.  As the the fighting in the pool between the teams was so intense that so much blood was spilt that the water turned pink.  (See this article for more.)  The match was abandoned with Hungary leading 4-0 and Hungary went on to win the gold medal.  Through 2008 Hungary has won a record nine gold medals in water polo.  

And apparently there can be controversy in water polo.  See this article about the uproar caused by the swim trunks worn by the Singaporean men's team a few years back.

Link to the official Olympic water polo page.




Basketball - Basketball Arena/Olympic Park 8:00 PM (2:00 PM Central)
Game 1 - Women's Preliminary Round - Group B
Canada vs. Great Britain
Game 2 - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A
Angola vs. USA

Basketball has been an Olympic sport for men since 1936 and women since 1976.  The favored women's teams are the US, Spain and Russia.

Link to the official Olympic basketball page.