Beijing, August 14:

The marquee Olympic sport starts on Friday, and it doesn’t have anything to do with the marquee name of the Beijing Games.

While Michael Phelps goes for his sixth gold medal at the Water Cube early in the day, the two fastest men in the world start their quest for the 100-metre title at the Bird’s Nest.

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell will run in the opening heats along with world champion Tyson Gay. Later in the day, the first gold medals will be awarded in the men’s shot put and the women’s 10,000.

Besides those two gold and the four gold medals that will be won in the Water Cube, the women’s gymnastic all-around title is also on the schedule on Friday.

Nine other gold medals will be awarded in badminton, shooting, weightlifting, archery, cycling, judo and fencing.