The 5 Best Olympic Events to Watch Today (Day 8: Saturday, August 4)

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Team(s)/Athlete(s) of Interest: Mark Barriga

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Why You Should Watch: Mark Little "Pacquiáo" Barriga is living up to his nickname by demolishing his opponents; his last victim, Italy’s Manuel Cappai, lost 17-7 on Tuesday. The comparisons between Barriga, a 5"1' southpaw, and Pacquiáo go beyond their country of origin: They're both lightning fast punchers and aggressors in the ring. Barriga's opponent is Birzhan Zhakypov, a 28-year-old from Kazakhstan who eked out an 18-17 decision in his bout in the round of 32.

Team(s)/Athlete(s) of Interest: Irving Saladino

Time: 2:55 p.m.

Why You Should Watch: Returning Beijing gold medalist Irving Saladino is back to defend his long jump crown. The Panamanian is looking to hold off his greatest competition, 2008 silver medalist South African Godfrey Khotso Mokoena, the 2010 African Championships long jump gold medalist. 

Team(s)/Athlete(s) of Interest: USA

Time: 4:00 p.m.

Why You Should Watch: Olympic domination entering the single-elimination round after finishing off group play. The Americans have won 16 straight matches spanning back to 2004 in Athens. The duo is not perfect however; May-Treanor and Walsh lost their first set on Wednesday to Austrian sisters Stefanie and Doris Schwaiger, ending their consecutive set winning streak at 32. They face Sanne Keizer and Marleen van Iersel today. Will Wednesday's dropped set be a blip for the iconic American team, or the beginnings of a new vulnerability.

Team(s)/Athlete(s) of Interest: Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt

Time: 5:00 a.m. (preliminary heats) 5:35 a.m. (Round 1)

Why You Should Watch: Yohan Blake is the new Jamaican sensation after beating Usain Bolt in the 100m qualifying in June. Don't expect too many fireworks in these opening heats, but keep an eye on the Jamaican duo as well as Americans Tyson Gay and Justin Gatling in the run-up to track and field's marquee event.

Team(s)/Athlete(s) of Interest: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Time: 2:35 p.m.

Why You Should Watch: Back in London to defend her 2008 100m crown, Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is on pace to do just that after making it through the qualifying heats. This won't be an easy feat however with fellow Jamaican and Beijing silver medalist Kerron Stewart on her heals, as well as American Allyson Felix. Felix, who had a qualifying time of .01 slower than Fraser-Pryce, will be one of the many keeping the pressure on Fraser-Pryce in the semis.