Track and field will help define the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and the athletics portion of the Summer Games finally is upon us.
The track and field events will begin Friday and run through Aug. 21. In that time span, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt will try to defend his title as the world’s fastest man. USA’s Justin Gatlin is among the contenders to dethrone Bolt, and the two have carried their simmering rivalry into the Olympics.
Expect competitors to set some new world records in Rio. That’s often the case in the Summer Olympics.
But Russian athletes won’t win any medals or set new marks. They’re banned from competing in Rio due to widespread, state-sponsored doping.
Here’s everything you need to watch all the track and field events in Rio.
When: Friday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 21.
Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com
Click for the full Olympic track and field schedule >>
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
