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Rio Olympics Made Easy: The Aussie Moments You Have To Watch

Love cheering for Aussies at the Olympics? This quick uncomplicated timeline is all you need.
Rio Opening ceremony flagbearer Anna Meares. Guts and grace personified.
Getty Images
Rio Opening ceremony flagbearer Anna Meares. Guts and grace personified.

You're busy, we're busy, everybody's busy. So we've made life easy for you. These are the Rio 2016 Olympics moments you can't miss. Simple as that.

Mostly it's the Aussies, plus a few major events which we won't win. But we make no apology for focusing on the Aussies.

On paper, this Olympic team looks like the strongest we've ever sent to any games. Australia won a record 16 gold medals at Sydney 2000, then exceeded that with 17 at Athens 2004. If our athletes stay true to form, we could top 20 in Rio. Not saying that'll happen, but it's a genuine possibility.

So then. Program this into your calendar. Easy. (Oh, and ALL TIMES LISTED ARE AEST, which is 13 hours ahead of Rio.)

Day 02

12:42pm Monday arvo -- Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final

The last chance for James Magnussen to snare an elusive gold, alongside Cam McEvoy and friends.

Swimming caps are funny. Just ask these guys.
Getty Images
Swimming caps are funny. Just ask these guys.

Day 03

8am Tuesday morning -- Women's Rugby Sevens Gold Medal Match

Put your Weet-Bix down and cheer our world champion "Pearls", as they're known.

11:25am Tuesday morning -- Women's 100m Backstroke Final

Sit back and watch Emily Seebohm and Madison Wilson, who could easily finish 1-2.

The sky's the limit.
Getty Images for Arena
The sky's the limit.

11:33am Tuesday morning -- Men's 100m Backstroke Final

Eight minutes after Emily Seebohm (hopefully) wins, Mitch Larkin should join his girlfriend in golden glory.

Day 04

12:32pm Wednesday arvo -- Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final

Cam McEvoy heads our best chance for gold on possibly Australia's least promising night of swimming finals.

Day 05

02:30am Thursday morning -- Men´s Canoe Slalom K1) – Semifinals and finals

Aussie Lucien Delfour is a good chance to make the podium, in a nice taste of what superstar Jess Fox should do later in the week.

08:00am Thursday morning -- AUS vs USA in Men's basketball

You will be late for work. So will everyone else.

Delly and Bogut have both won NBA titles, so our chances are not hopeless.
Getty Images
Delly and Bogut have both won NBA titles, so our chances are not hopeless.

11:48am Thursday morning -- Women's 200m Butterfly Final

Madeline Groves could complete the 'fly double.

11:57am Thursday morning -- Men's 100m Freestyle Final

This is the biggie for the man they call "the Professor", science student and super swimmer Cam McEvoy.

12:47pm Thursday arvo -- Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay Final

The Americans will probably win, but you never know!

Day 06

02:15am Friday morning -- Women's canoe slalom (K1) semi-final and final

Set the alarm clock (or stay awake after you've stumbled home from the pub) and watch Jess Fox.

Is there anything she can't do?
Getty Images
Is there anything she can't do?

07:21am Friday morning -- Men's Team Sprint Finals

Aussies are always a good chance in this.

07:30am and then 08:00am Friday morning -- Men's Sevens Rugby Bronze and Gold Medal Matches

If Australia's not there, you can always cheer for Fiji to win it's first ever Olympic medal.

11:22am Friday morning -- Men's 200m Backstroke Final

It's Mitch Larkin time again!

12:16pm Friday arvo -- Women's 100m Freestyle Final

The only question is which Campbell sister?

Day 07

09:00pm Friday night -- Women's single Sculls Final (Rowing)

Kim Brennan races for gold, and will probably get it.

07:00am Saturday morning -- Women's Team Sprint Finals (track cycling)

It's Anna Meares time, people! Meares is looking to become first Australian cycling triple Olympic gold medallist.

07:20am Saturday morning -- Men's Team Pursuit Finals (track cycling)

The Brits beat us in London, we're now world champs. A massive showdown!

They're a well-oiled machine. Well they're actually four humans but you know what we mean.
AFP/Getty Images
They're a well-oiled machine. Well they're actually four humans but you know what we mean.

11:00am Saturday morning -- Women's 200m Backstroke Final

Look out for Belinda Hocking and Emily Seebohm

11:17am Saturday morning -- Women's 800m Freestyle Final

Jessica Ashwood should win a medal. But which colour?

11:41am Saturday morning -- Men's 50m Freestyle Final

This'll be all over in about 21 seconds. Can McEvoy do it?

Day 08

05:53am Sunday morning -- Women's Team Pursuit Finals (track cycling)

The early bird might just catch a medal here.

09:50am Sunday morning -- Men's Long Jump Final (athletics)

Yes, the track and field has started and Mauritian-born LaPierre is a big chance.

11:00am Sunday morning -- Women's 50m Freestyle Final

Blink and you might miss another Campbell sister gold.

Cate's the tall one, Bronte's the kissy one.
AFP/Getty Images
Cate's the tall one, Bronte's the kissy one.

11:07am Sunday morning -- Men's 1500m Freestyle Final

The last individual swimming final of the Games is always a highlight. Mack Horton for a minor medal.

11:35am Sunday morning -- Women's 100m Final (athletics)

No Aussies but well worth diverting your eyes from the telly.

11:48am Sunday morning -- Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final

More likely gold for us. Cos we're greedy.

11:59am Sunday morning -- Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final

Australia a big chance. This could be the fifth Rio medal for McEvoy and third for Larkin.

Day 09

10:30pm Sunday night -- Women's Marathon

Aussies Milly Clark, Jess Trengove and Lisa Weightman probably won't win, but it'll be a nice race to fall asleep to while you're dreading work on Monday.

06:04am Monday morning -- Men's Sprint Finals (track cycling)

A couple of Aussies are a chance to have made it this far.

11:25am Monday morning -- Men's 100m Final

Not much work will get done as Usain Bolt and friends line up.

Mr cool.
British Athletics via Getty Imag
Mr cool.

Day 10

10:00pm Monday night -- Women's 10km Marathon (Open water) Swimming

Chelsea Gubecka is a slim medal chance for Australia but this is all about gawking at Rio.

Day 11

10:00pm Tuesday night -- Men's 10km Marathon (open water) Swimming

Jarrod Poort was a London Olympian in the 1500m, has made switch to open water, good medal chance here.

11:12pm Tuesday night -- Men´s Kayak Single (K1) 1000m Final

Murray Stewart won gold in the K4 (four man) in London and can win here.

01:00am and 6:00am Wednesday morning -- Men's Hockey Semi-finals Matches

You'll have to check to see which match Australia is involved in. Should be one of them.

03:05am Wednesday morning -- Nacra 17 Mixed Multihull Medal Race (sailing)

If boats and super early mornings are your thing, Lisa Darmanin & Jason Waterhouse should make it worth your while as they race for gold.

06:05am Wednesday morning -- Women's Omnium 25km Points Race (track cycling)

Final race (and a crazy event to watch) in this multi-pronged event in which Annette Edmondson won bronze in London and is a strong gold medal chance here.

She had an awful training accident when she slammed into a car earlier this year (it was the car's fault), yet Nettie Edmo is raring to go!
LightRocket via Getty Images
She had an awful training accident when she slammed into a car earlier this year (it was the car's fault), yet Nettie Edmo is raring to go!

06:44am Wednesday morning -- Women's Sprint Finals (track cycling)

More Meares.

Day 12

03:05am Thursday morning -- 470 Men's Two Person Dinghy Medal Race

Aussies Mat Belcher & Will Ryan are huge chances.

01:00pm Thursday arvo -- Women's Beach Volleyball Final

Samba time, as you enjoy the best party in Rio, probably minus Australians.

Gonna be a heck of a party.
AFP/Getty Images
Gonna be a heck of a party.

Day 13

10:00pm Thursday night -- Men´s Kayak Double (K2) 1000m

Aussies Lachlan Tame & Kenny Wallace should give it a good shake.

Wallace won individual kayaking gold in Beijing.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wallace won individual kayaking gold in Beijing.

01:00am and 06:00am Friday morning -- Men's Hockey Bronze Medal and Gold Medal Matches

Australia will definitely be in one of these.

05:00am Friday morning -- Women's Diving 10m Platform Final

We all love the diving, so make the effort to get up and watch Aussie Olympic medallist Melissa Wu try to add to her collection.

11:30am Friday morning -- Men's 200m Final (athletics)

More Bolt.

Day 14

9:00pm Friday night -- Men's 50km Race Walk (athletics)

It's (not so young) Tallent time. Can Jared add to the gold he was awarded recently when the Russian drug cheat was disqualified?

Look, I got antennae!
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Look, I got antennae!

01:00am Saturday morning -- Women's Hockey Bronze Medal Match

Hopefully the Aussies are in the 6am game.

03:30am Saturday morning -- Women's 20km Race

Now it's the turn of Rachel Tallent, Jared's little sister

04:00am Saturday morning -- Women's BMX Final

Eek! The hour is early, but Aussie Caroline Buchanan is a multiple world champ and will start favourite.

04:10am Saturday morning -- Men's BMX Final

Aussie Sam Willoughby won silver in London and should do well again.

06:00am Saturday morning Women's Hockey Gold Medal Match

Like we said, hopefully the Aussies make this match.

06:30am Saturday morning -- Women's Football Gold Medal Match

Unlikely Aussies will be there, but still worth watching.

11:35am Saturday morning -- Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final (athletics)

Bolt time again!

Day 15

12:30am and 04:30am Sunday morning -- Women's Basketball Bronze and Gold Medal Games

We'll be in one of them.

They've won medals at the last four Olympics.
Getty Images
They've won medals at the last four Olympics.

10:49pm Saturday night -- Men´s Kayak Four (K4) 1000m Final Wallace

Australia could win.

06:30am Sunday morning -- Men's Football Gold Medal Match

Australia not in tournament, but this is football and this is Brazil. Enough said.

Day 16

10:30 pm Sunday night -- Men's Marathon

Australia has 3 in it, none of whom will likely win. Still fun to watch.

12:30am and 4:45am Monday morning -- Men's Basketball Bronze and Gold Medal Games

Do we dare to dream? Even if Australia doesn't make it, the USA will be great to watch.

Getty Images

For all your daily previews and stories, be sure to follow the Huffington Post Australia's man in Rio Ant Sharwood on Twitter and Facebook. And don't be scared to say oi! (That's Portuguese for hi!)

You can also download the excellent Australian Olympic Team (Aus Team) App from the App store. It's got a whole bunch more news and stuff.

I don't bite. Except when I'm eating sandwiches.
AOL
I don't bite. Except when I'm eating sandwiches.
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