2008 Beijing Olympic Games - Day 9 Preview

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Women's High Jump: Final - Sat, Aug 23 7:00 AM ET

Who to watch: Blanka Vlašic (CRO), Ariane Friedrich (GER), Anna Chicherova (RUS), Elena Slesarenko (RUS)

Outlook: Having not lost a high jump competition since June 2007, Croatia's Blanka Vlašic is the clear favorite for the title here boasting a season best clearance of 2.06 meters. Although she did not perform to her expectations during the last Golden League event in Paris, Vlašic still maintained her dominance in the event and only has herself to lose to. Russian teammates Anna Chicherova and Elena Slesarenko do have the will to win, but with such a high profile jumper such as Vlašic, she will be tough to beat. Germany's Ariane Friedrich will look to make a run on the medal stand as well.

Men's Javelin Throw: Final - Sat, Aug 23 7:10 AM ET

Who to watch: Jarrod Bannister (AUS), Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR), Tero Pitkämäki (FIN), Tero Järvenpää (FIN)

Outlook: The Australian national team will look for their second gold medal in track & field. With Steve Hooker securing the men's pole vault crown yesterday, Jarrod Bannister heads into the javelin final as the leader of the pack. Holding a season and personal best throw of 89.02 meters, Bannister has been sharp all season long and is the favorite for gold. Finland is known for their depth in this event and you can look no further than Tero Pitkämäki and Tero Järvenpää. It may take a throw of 88 meters to win and both Fins do have the firepower to do so. Look for Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen to give Bannister a run for his money as well.

Men's 800m: Final - Sat, Aug 23 7:30 AM ET

Who to watch: Yusuf Saad Kamel (BRN), Yeimer López (CUB), Gary Reed (CAN), Alfred Kirwa Yego (KEN)

Outlook: In what should be a wide open final, it will all depend what kind of pace they take the first 300 meters out in. As seen in the second semifinal heat, a slower pace gives the edge to the kickers who will have the advantage. If Bahrain's Yusuf Saad Kamel can take out the race hard, it should be his to win. Otherwise, Yeimer López of Cuba and Canadian record holder Gary Reed will have the edge in the sprinters department. Kenya's Alfred Kirwa Yego will make a case for the gold as well and it should be one of the more competitive races on the final day.

Women's 1,500m: Final - Sat, Aug 23 7:50 AM ET

Who to watch: Maryam Yusuf Jamal (BRN), Shannon Rowbury (USA), Iryna Lishchynska (UKR), Anna Alminova (RUS)

Outlook: The recent Russian doping rulings have opened the door -- and rightfully so -- for many athletes, including Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal and Shannon Rowbury of the U.S. As seen in the Golden League event in Paris, these two will battle until the end for the gold. Jamal was able to hold off Rowbury in that race, 3:59.79 to 4:00.33. Whoever can come off the final turn with the lead should be able to manage the final kick the best behind these two talented runners. Iryna Lishchynska of the Ukraine and Anna Alminova of Russia can step up as it would not be surprising to see them take the race.

Men's 5,000m: Final - Sat, Aug 23 8:10 AM ET

Who to watch: Kenenisa Bekele (ETH), Bernard Lagat (USA), Tariku Bekele (ETH), Abreham Cherkos (ETH), Eliud Kipchoge (KEN)

Outlook: Redemption. That's the word everyone in the field will be thinking as they saw Bernard Lagat of the U.S. win the 5,000 meter final at the World Championships in Osaka last year. Lagat, who stormed with a 51 second last lap, also has redemption on his mind after not making the 1,500 meter final earlier in the week. If there is one man who knows how to take out the pace just right, it's Kenenisa Bekele. The current world record holder did not run in the 5,000 meter final during the World Championships as it will be a great challenge for Lagat to win this time around. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, who finished second to Lagat in Osaka, will be up there again for what should be a great race. Ethiopia will send out two of their other strong runners as Tariku Bekele and Abreham Cherkos will have a stake on the medal stand. Matt Tegenkamp of the U.S. did finish fourth in Osaka, but it will take a greater time than 13:46.78 to pose a threat for a medal.

Women's 4x400m: Final - Sat, Aug 23 8:40 AM ET

Who to watch: United States, Russia, Jamaica, Belarus

Outlook: For the final women's event of the Olympic Games, the United State will look to close the envelope with a gold medal in the 4x400 meter relay. Although it has been somewhat of a disappointing games for the Amercians, especially in the sprints and relays, this is where the U.S. shines as Sanya Richards looks to bring home the gold on the anchor leg. Russia and Jamaica will provide plenty of competition along with Belarus who will fight for their right on the medal stand.

Men's 4x400m: Final - Sat, Aug 23 9:05 AM ET

Who to watch: United States, Bahamas, Great Britain, Jamaica

Outlook: There is no doubt that the United States is the clear favorite here. Can they break their own World Record of 2:54.29? It may be a difficult task, but with the top three 400 meter runners in the world -- including Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt who are now the top five performers in history -- anything can happen. The Bahamas, Great Britain and Jamaica will be the other major players fighting for silver and bronze. No, Usain Bolt will not be running this relay.

Men's Marathon: Final - Sat, Aug 23 7:30 PM ET

Who to watch: Martin Lel (KEN), Samuel Wanjiru (KEN), Ryan Hall (USA), Abderrahim Goumri (MOR), Viktor Röthlin (SWI)

Outlook: The big name not in the field is Haile Gebrselassie, the world record holder, who decided to give it a run in Berlin which is a few weeks after the Olympic Games. With Gebrselassie out of the picture, the Kenya duo of Martin Lel and Samuel Wanjiru look to lead the way for Olympic Gold. Lel, the three-time London and two-time New York Marathon winner, holds the fastest time of any of the athletes at 2:05:15. Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco finished third in the London Marathon this past year and can certainly lead with the best. America will look to Ryan Hall as their leader after finishing fifth in London and is looking to become the first U.S. gold medalist since Frank Shorter did it in 1972.