Rio Olympics 2016: how to watch, live stream, schedule, and what to expect

Friday, August 5, marks the start of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

For months, people questioned whether the games would actually take place. Would the Olympic Park be ready in time? Would the Zika virus prove too dangerous for the athletes and spectators? Would the political turmoil and economic collapse bring the entire event to a standstill?

But now those questions come to an end as athletes, tourists, dignitaries, and journalists from around the world gather in Rio to kick off two weeks of sporting competition, in an Olympic Games expected to draw billions of viewers worldwide.

The 2016 Olympics will run from August 5 until August 21 and will feature 42 sports, 306 total events, 136 medals for women, and 161 medals for men. About 10,500 athletes are expected to compete at the Olympics in Rio, including the first Olympic team composed entirely of refugees.

Here is a guide to the next two weeks:

How to watch:

More than 2,000 hours of Olympic events are scheduled to air over the course of the next two weeks. While not all events will be aired on TV, NBC is slated to stream an additional 4,500 hours of Olympic coverage on its website, with concurrent streams for competitions going on at the same time. However, after a 30-minute grace period, NBC will require users to log on with their TV provider.

Rio 2016 also has an official YouTube page with clips.

The schedule:

Opening ceremony: Friday, August 5, at 7 pm Eastern at the Maracanã Stadium (NBC will stream the show at a one-hour delay on the East Coast, at 8 pm Eastern, and at a four-hour delay on the West Coast, at 8 pm Pacific)

While most of the events will start on or after the opening ceremony, the Olympic games kicked off on August 3 with soccer. The US women’s soccer team won its Olympic opening match against New Zealand. (The US men’s soccer team failed to qualify for the Olympics this year.)

The much-anticipated women’s gymnastics all-around final is scheduled for Thursday, August 11, at 3 pm Eastern.

Closing Ceremony: Sunday, August 21, at 7 pm Eastern at Maracanã Stadium

Here is the full schedule of sporting events.

What to expect:

The 2016 Rio Olympics comes at a difficult time for Brazil. As Vox’s Libby Nelson explained, Brazil is in a much different place than it was when it won the Olympics bid in the late 2000s. Then it had a growing economy and a shrinking unemployment rate. Since that time, the country has entered the worst recession in its history; the president, Dilma Rousseff, is awaiting impeachment trials for campaign finance corruption; and the country’s political foundation is still recovering from a separate, even larger multibillion-dollar corruption scandal involving many top government figures (not to mention the recent spread of Zika plaguing South America).

But even with these obstacles, and many others associated with building an Olympic Park from the ground up, the Rio Olympics also brings some high points: the introduction of the first refugee team, with 10 athletes from conflict zones across the globe competing in judo, swimming, and track and field; the introduction of rugby sevens to the Olympics; a final go at Olympic gold from American swimming favorite Michael Phelps; and a much-anticipated gymnastics matchup between 2012 American Olympic gold medal winner Gabby Douglas and first-time American Olympian Simone Biles.

As the first South American country to host the Olympics, Brazil has a lot at stake. But with all the problems that have plagued the country in the runup to the games, expectations are low. And that might very well play in its favor.

India-West Indies T20Is in Florida could face logistical issues

The plan to conduct a three-match Twenty20 International series between India and West Indies at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, where a six-day stint of the Caribbean Premier League 2016 is going on, in late August could run into logistical issues pertaining to dates and visa procurement.

The two cricket boards are reportedly eager to have the three fixtures between August 24 and 27, the only four dates when the stadium in Florida will be available.

According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, officials from both the boards are in Florida, holding a series of talks to arrive at a solution. The Indian team's current four-Test assignment in West Indies runs till August 22. The two cricket boards are reportedly eager to have the three fixtures between August 24 and 27, the only four dates when the Florida stadium will be available.

With very little time after the end of the Tests in West Indies, it could be tough for the two teams to get necessary visas on time. The stadium in Florida is also the home ground of Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the football team that plays in North American Soccer League, the second division in league soccer in the United States America. The Strikers' schedule begins from August 31 at home, narrowing the chances of playing the T20I series towards the end of the month.

There will be feasibility issues in September as well, as India's long home season kick-starts with a Test series against New Zealand, from September 22.

BCCI to convene for Special General Meeting on August 5

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has organised a Special General Meeting (SGM) with its affiliated members in Mumbai on August 5. With president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke scheduled to meet the Lodha panel on August 9 in New Delhi, the board will now discuss the the panel's recommendations that were ratified by a two-member bench of the Supreme Court. The board's lawyers are also expected to be present during the SGM.

"Yes, we have received an e-mail from the BCCI that there will be an SGM on August 5 at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai," a member of state unit told PTI on Tuesday (July 26). "The agenda is to discuss the implementation of the Supreme Court directives."

The court last week called for major changes in the structure and administration of the board and its affiliated state associations. The BCCI were also given a six month deadline to implement the changes. The major issues surrounding the implementations are expected to be discussed during the SGM so that the concerns can be conveyed to the committee by the president and secretary.

"I guess before meeting the Lodha panel in Delhi on August 9, the senior office-bearers will like to take the viewpoint of the senior state unit officials. One of the main bone of contention is the cumulative tenure part of 9 years for the office-bearers," a BCCI official said.

Ravichandran Ashwin reclaims top spot in ICC rankings for Test bowlers

Ravichandran Ashwin, Indian off spinner, has reclaimed top spot in the ICC rankings for Test bowlers following an exemplary performance in India's innings victory over West Indies in the first of the four-match Test series in Antigua. The 29-year-old spinner, who topped the year-end Test bowling rankings in 2015, was usurped by Yasir Shah following the leg spinner's 10-wicket exploits in Pakistan's win at Lord's last week.

Ashwin gained five ranking points for his seven-wicket haul at Antigua to open up a 44-point lead over Yasir, who conceded 46 points after an insipid showing in Pakistan's defeat at Old Trafford, which relegated him to the fifth spot. Ashwin, who also scored 113 in India's first innings, made gains in the batting rankings and strengthened his hold on the top spot among all-rounders as well.

Ashwin, only the third Indian to be top-ranked among all-rounders after Vinoo Mankad and Kapil Dev, now leads second-placed Shakib Al Hasan by 43 points in the all-rounders rankings.

In the batting standings, England's Joe Root powered to the second spot, behind Steve Smith, following innings of 254 and 71* at Old Trafford while Alastair Cook returned to the top-10 with knocks of 105 and 76* in the same Test. Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, who scored his maiden Test match double hundred in Antigua, climbed two places up to 12th.

Rio Olympics: Australia refuse to move into athletes village

Australia are refusing to move their athletes into the Rio Olympic Village because of concerns about the state of their accommodation.

Problems include "blocked toilets, leaking pipes and exposed wiring", according to team boss Kitty Chiller.

Chiller said she had raised concerns with local event organisers and the International Olympic Committee, and was "pushing hard for a solution".

Australian staff are in nearby hotels with the first athletes due on Monday.

Alternative accommodation for team members arriving over the next three days has been arranged.

The $1.5bn (£1.14bn) 31-building village has tennis courts, football pitches, seven swimming pools and will house 18,000 athletes and officials at the height of the Games, which start on 5 August, less than two weeks away.

Chiller, the head of Australia's Olympic delegation, said extra maintenance staff and more than 1,000 cleaners have been engaged to fix the problems but the faults, particularly the plumbing issues, have not been resolved.

She said in a statement on the Australian Olympic website: "Due to a variety of problems in the Village, including gas, electricity and plumbing, I have decided that no Australian team member will move into our allocated building.

"Problems include blocked toilets, leaking pipes, exposed wiring, darkened stairwells where no lighting has been installed and dirty floors in need of a massive clean."

Organisers have conceded there have been "teething troubles" and promised that crews would be "working 24 hours a day until the issues are resolved".

But Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes responded to Australian criticism by saying the Village is "more beautiful" than Sydney for the 2000 Games and that he was about to put "a kangaroo jumping outside" to "make them feel at home".

Kohli-Kumble partnership starts off on emphatic note

If ever you had to make a statement in your very first game, then this would definitely be it.

A big knock from the captain. A fighting fifty from a player struggling for form. A very successful experiment. Pacers taking wickets. Spinners taking wickets. Fielders holding on to tough chances.

It was the perfect game for Anil Kumble in his first ever game as the coach of the Indian team.

The former India captain was only recently appointed the head coach of the national side. Soon after, the practice sessions were in place, the plans detailed and the players picked. The team spoke highly of their new coach, and he returned the favour. It was the start of an exciting new era for the side, but the actual test was yet to begin.

India had a massive Test season coming up, starting with four Tests in the West Indies - a considerably weakened team, but against whom India had never managed to win more than once in a series.

In Antigua, India showed they meant business. They were here to win of course, and as expected they showcased the gulf in class between the two teams. But what was more important was for the team to win the kind of way they wanted to.

Kumble had mentioned that his main motive as coach will be to ensure that "all areas are covered - skill-wise, fitness-wise, strategy-wise - and prepare them so that they are able to go out there and assess any situation on their own."

With a record innings and 92-run triumph, the team underlined that all the areas were indeed covered.

"If you look at it logically, that's probably the perfect finish which every team looks for," Kohli said after the win on Sunday (July 24). "The seamers usually dominate the first innings when you play away from home. The wicket tires out on day four and five. That's when the spinners come into play. In the first innings, spinners are taking couple of the breakthrough wickets. In the second innings, fast bowlers are doing this for you and then the spinners will open it up again.

"And the batsmen as well," he continued. "We have spoken about one thing, that we have the skill and ability to declare innings more often than not rather than struggling to get to 350 with our lower order. So that's the kind of mindset we need to play with. You know when you start off with five batsmen, obviously you need to take more responsibilities. I think they are all good enough to do that."

While the previous Indian sides were more content with having put in the right process, the Kohli-Kumble partnership has stressed on the results that need to be delivered. 'Learning curve' was something that had been stressed on a lot previously, but the current think-tank believes that the players who come to play for the national team are capable of delivering what is expected of them. That comes as a refreshing and much-needed change.

"As I've said before, we are not at a stage now where we need to come and improve. We should be ready enough in international cricket to start dominating Test matches and win those crucial situations and sessions. That's how we become a better team. If you think we are going to keep learning every series, learning every game, we will never get that hunger and that mindset to win games from difficult situations. We need to challenge ourselves a little bit, which this team has been willing to do and which is a wonderful sign," said Kohli.

But matching expectations could lead to complacency. When you get almost everything you want, it can be the easiest option - to put your feet up, tell everyone how well they've played and look forward to the next stint. But under Kumble and Kohli, things work differently. They want to ensure whatever little that didn't pan out isn't left to chance in the future.

"There was nothing out of the ordinary," Kohli said about how Kumble reacted to the win. "Having played for so long, I think he understands how the players feel about a victory. He congratulated everyone and gave special mention to the guys who made important contributions in the game. Might not be seen too much but those important breakthroughs, important moments are very crucial for the team to win. He understands that very nicely. It's a great start for him.

"It's all about creating good habits. It's very easy to give runs away easily, then you don't realise that you make bad habits along the way. You suddenly find out eventually when there's a very important moment in the game.

"I think a couple or areas with the bat we can improve especially is not losing wickets close to the breaks. Pujara was one, Shikhar was the other, just before tea and then myself soon after lunch on Day 2.See, these are the things, which if we have enough runs on the board and start scoring quickly, you tend to ignore. But I have that it in my mind pretty strongly, because every team will want to challenge you and will want to dry those runs out. So you have to capitalise those important moments so the team can't lose that momentum and start scoring runs again. We've lost wickets in those moments previously. That's one area I still think need to tighten up a little bit more if you want to be in complete control of things in all the sessions that we play. We've done really well in this game, but that's one area we have addressed before and we certainly want to improve on," Kohli added.

The attention to detail can only mean good things for Indian cricket and if the plans and execution can pan out this well, India will very soon be the team they want to be.

All-round Ashwin stars in India's biggest win in West Indies

India enjoyed a near perfect start under Anil Kumble as they walloped a hapless West Indies team by and innings and 92 runs in under four days at Antigua, on Sunday (July 24).

If their batsmen sparkled in the first innings of the Test, amassing 566 for 8 before declaring, and the fast bowlers came to the party in the second, it were the spinners that shone in the third and final innings of the game.

R Ashwin had gone wicket-less in the first innings as well as on the morning of the fourth day, but during the second session he was near unplayable - picking up his first ever five-wicket haul outside Asia. He ended with 7 for 83.

During the morning session, Marlon Samuels and Rajendra Chandrika shared a vital fifty-run stand as West Indies fought hard to stay alive in the first of the four-Test series. But the best stand of the innings came with the hosts eight down and staring at defeat. Carlos Brathwiate took the attack to the Indian spinners, and with Devendra Bishoo for company, stalled the Indians for 24.1 overs. The pair added 95 runs for the 9th wicket, but it only delayed the inevitable.

Day 4 at Antigua began with India striking early, Darren Bravo, facing Umesh Yadav, played away from the body and the edge was smartly taken by Ajinkya Rahane at gully.

Samuels enjoyed some luck early on, with an inside edge through to the wicketkeeper being ruled not out by the third umpire. The decision had been referred to Gregory Brathwaite after Saha had claimed a low catch. TV replays turned out to be inconclusive with Samuels's bat obstructing the view just when the Indian took the catch. The third umpire finally ruled in the batsman's favour, and Samuels was handed a lucky reprieve on 16.

The right-hander was particularly attacking against Ashwin, hitting the off-spinner for three fours in one over.

Rain held up play for a bit, giving India coach Anil Kumble the chance to run his plans over with the team again, but before they could resume the game, Lunch was called.

After a fighting first session, West Indies capitulated to spin as Ashwin triggered a collapse with some superb off-spin. From a decent position at 88 for 2 in the 36h over, the home side lost six wickets for just 44 runs and left themselves facing a massive innings defeat and a series deficit.

India's breakthrough in the second session came with a slice of luck. Chandrika hopped down the track to meet an Ashwin delivery, but missed the clip to the leg side. The ball did not seem to have met the bat on its way to Saha's gloves, but umpire Aleem Dar thought otherwise.

With the opening they were looking for, India went for the kill. Jermaine Blackwood bagged a pair in the Test, flicking the ball to a diving Virat Kohli on the leg side, while Marlon Samuels was undone by a brilliant delivery.

Ashwin used the strong wind, blowing from East to West, to his advantage and bowled the straighter one. Samuels played a tad inside the line, anticipating for the ball to spin, but it managed to beat the bat and hit the stumps. Samuels had held one side up with a fine fifty, and it needed a special delivery to remove him.

Roston Chase departed soon after, with his forward prod taking the inside edge and going to forward short-leg, where substitute fielder KL Rahul took a good, low catch. It was Ashwin's fourth wicket of the innings.

Shane Dowrich, who hit a solid fifty in the first innings, was trapped leg before by Mishra soon after as West indies slipped towards a big defeat.

Jason Holder became Ashwin's fifth victim, being bowled by another superb delivery from the off-spinner for 16. The West Indies captain was lured into the drive with a floated delivery, but the ball spun in and disturbed the stumps.

Carlos Brathwaite and Bishoo put together a defiant 95-run stand. Both players were severe against the spinners, hitting over the top and collecting boundaries freely. Ashwin finally broke through in the 78th over by getting Bishoo caught at mid-wicket for 45.

Three balls later, Ashwin wrapped up the match by bowling out Shannon Gabriel for four.

The innings and 92-run victory is India's biggest outside Asia.