In any other Olympics, Usain Bolt may have been the face of the Games, a young, exuberant sprinter with a chance to become the first man to win both the 100- and 200-meter dashes since Carl Lewis in 1984.
But these Olympics have Michael Phelps, of course, meaning there’s little room for anyone else to emerge as a breakout star. Still, at just 21 years old and with an effortless stride that suggests more world records to come, Bolt may well be the face of London 2012.
The Jamaican competes in his second final of the Games tonight on NBC, though it won’t be airing live. The race actually takes place well before NBC enters primetime, another strike against Bolt, since most viewers will most likely already know the outcome of the men’s 200 dash before it airs after seeing it online or on another media outlet.
If it’s anything like Bolt’s first final, it should be must-see viewing.
The unusually tall (6-foot-5) sprinter had run only a handful of 100 dashes in his career before lining up for the 100 final that aired on Saturday night. He was so far ahead of the field at 80 meters that he began thumping his chest and throwing out his arms before he even finished the race, and he still sliced 0.03 off the world record, clocking in at 9.69.
Bolt has more experience in the 200, where he faces defending Olympic champion Shawn Crawford of the U.S., whom he beat by 0.03 in their semifinal yesterday. Six years ago, Bolt became the youngest world junior champion ever in the race, winning it at age 15.
Yet even if Bolt accomplishes the 100-200 sweep, he could simply be priming up for London, when he’ll have four more years on his resume and, it seems certain, a lot more world records.
Some speculate he may even challenge Michael Johnson’s 12-year-old record in the 200 of 19.32, 0.35 ahead of Bolt’s personal record.
Whether it happens tonight or four years from now, NBC may have found its 2012 star, since Phelps has pledged to cut back on his events by then.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Jordin Sparks from “American Idol” performs.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The women’s beach volleyball final, women’s 400m final and men’s 200m final.
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8 p.m.
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ESPN
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“Little League Baseball” (S)
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A U.S. semifinal at the Little League World Series.
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9 p.m.
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Telemundo
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“Soccer” (S)
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World Cup qualifier between Mexico and Honduras should attract a large Hispanic audience.
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9 p.m.
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Bravo
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“Project Runway” (R)
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This week’s guest is RuPaul.
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10 p.m.
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MTV
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“Run’s House” (R)
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Russy and DIggy see if they can finally take their braces off.
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10 p.m.
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National Geographic Channel
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“Taboo” (N)
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Yep, we’d agree that the human organ black market would be considered taboo.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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NBC
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“Today” (N)
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The crew continues to report from Beijing.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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The 49ers take on the Bears in exhibition play.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Among the events tonight is the men’s 400m final.
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9 p.m.
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truTV
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“Principal’s Office” (R)
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Series premiere. Looking at how principals handle problem kids at school.
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10 p.m.
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CBS
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“Flashpoint” (D)
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The team chases a young man who had been fighting with his father into the woods.
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10 p.m.
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A&E
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“Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force” (R)
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Series premiere. For the “Cops” fans with a special appreciation for stolen vehicle cases.
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10 p.m.
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Comedy Central
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“Gong Show with Dave Attell” (G)
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A contortionist pool player is among the contestants.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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7 a.m.
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ABC
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“Good Morning America” (N)
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Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd perform.
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8 p.m.
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Fox
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“NFL Football” (S)
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A Texas preseason battle between the Texans and Cowboys.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The men’s and women’s 4X100m relay.
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8 p.m.
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Disney Channel
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“The Cheetah Girls One World” (M)
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New movie should attract the kids.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Monk” (D)
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Monk likes a woman, but of course she’s accused of murder.
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10 p.m.
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TLC
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“Who Are You Wearing” (R)
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Series premiere. Another competition for wannabe designers.
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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10 a.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The women’s basketball gold medal game.
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12:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Little League World Series” (S)
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The international championship game.
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3:30 p.m.
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Fox
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“Major League Baseball” (S)
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Today it’s Dodgers-Phillies, Braves-Cards or Padres-Giants.
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7:30 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Lots of track, including the men’s marathon and women’s 4X400m relay.
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8 p.m.
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CBS
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“NFL Football” (S)
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The Vikings host the Steelers in a preseason game.
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9 p.m.
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Hallmark
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“Dear Prudence” (M)
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Jane Seymour plays a workaholic advice guru who gets caught up in a murder case.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24
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Time
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Network
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Program
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Description
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Noon
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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Boxing and water polo finals, and a review of Olympic highlights.
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3:30 p.m.
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ABC
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“Little League World Series” (S)
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The Little League World Series championship game.
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7 p.m.
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NBC
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“Olympics” (S)
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The men’s volleyball final and coverage of the closing ceremony.
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8 p.m.
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NBC
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“Big Brother” (R)
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The eviction nominations are revealed.
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9 p.m.
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HBO
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“Generation Kill” (D)
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Series finale. Bravo finally makes it to Baghdad, and the situation isn’t good.
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9 p.m.
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USA
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“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (D)
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Season finale. Goren finds a familiar photo at his mother’s grave.
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10 p.m.
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VH1
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“I Love Money” (R)
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An unlikely duo comes up with a secret plan.
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.
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