4 to Watch: Showtime for Simone

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Day 6 offered another opportunity to watch two of this Olympics' most exciting performers who have delivered on the highest of expectations so far in Rio.

The Simone Show returned. Simone Biles already has one gold medal, and she didn't disappoint in the individual all-around competition.

Every time Michael Phelps dives into the pool, there's a chance history will be made. The most decorated Olympic athlete has a shot at another gold, this time against a familiar foe.

Thursday also features another opportunity for a Southern Californian to win a medal in swimming and the debut of Olympic golf.

[Rio2016 - USMedals] Highest Honors: American Medalists at the Rio Olympics

Here are our 4 to Watch for Thursday:

1. Showtime for Simone

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After leading her team to the second straight U.S. gold in the all-around team event Tuesday, Simone Biles earned an individual gold medal. U.S. teammate Aly Raisman grabbed silver in the individual all-around final.  Coming to Rio as a heavy favorite, Biles has excelled under the pressure and the spotlight.

WATCH: Live Stream (Noon) | NBC Primetime

2. Just Pooling Around

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Michael Phelps goes against fellow American Ryan Lochte, likely for the final time, as the two face off in the 200m individual medley final. If Phelps wins, he would become the first swimmer to win the same individual event four times.

WATCH (6 p.m.): Live Stream | NBC Primetime

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3. Anthony Ervin's Long Road Back

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Also watch for Valencia's Anthony Ervin. At 35, Rio marks Ervin's third Olympics. He already had a medal in the 4-by-100m relay. He’ll try to add another in the 50m freestyle, but will first need to get through Thursday’s qualifiers and semifinals.

Ervin retired from competition in 2003, but returned after nearly a decade and finished fifth in the 50m freestyle in London. He tied for gold with American Gary Hall Jr. at the 2000 Olympics.

WATCH: Live Stream | NBC (Noon)

4. If You Build It, Some Will Come

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Nearly a decade of controversy and questions all led to this — the debut of Olympic golf at a new course built on a swamp where caimans and large rodents make sand traps seem like the least of hazards. Several big names didn't tee up Thursday when the sport returned to the Olympics after more than a century. Four out of the top five golfers in the world rankings decided to opt out of the Olympics, but the field still features names like Henrick Stenson, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler. Also seeking a medal — Brazilian Addison da Silva, who will be first on the tee box. 

"Ten years down the line you're going to look at who won the gold medal, not who wasn’t here," said Stenson, who is the field’s highest-ranked player.

WATCH (3:30 a.m.): Live Stream | Golf Channel

Also Tonight

Men's Volleyball: The United States takes on hosts Brazil in a high-powered matchup. The U.S. team will be looking to rebound after a stunning opening match upset against Canada and close loss against Italy on Tuesday.

"It was an unfortunate way to start the tournament," USA captain David Lee, a CSU Long Beach alum who lives in Anaheim, said following the Canada loss. "We didn't find a level of consistency that we could sustain throughout the match." 

AP

The U.S. is in last place in Pool A, and needs to find success in their next two matches to advance to the quarterfinals.

The team includes Taylor Sander and Reid Priddy, of Huntington Beach, Murphy Troy and Micah Christenson, who played at USC, UC Irvine's David Smith, of Saugus, and Thomas Jaeschke, of Anaheim.

WATCH (6:30 p.m.): LiveStream  | NBC Sports Network

More Swimming Finals: Australian Mitch Larkin is a threat to end the Americans' win streak dating to 1996 in the men’s 200m backstroke. Australian sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell compete in the 100m free finals.

WATCH (6 p.m.): LiveStream | NBC Primetime

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