5 to Watch: Phelps, Fencing and a Hack Attack

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MICHAEL PHELPS GOES FOR MORE GOLD

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with a record 23 medals, advanced to the semifinals in the 200m butterfly, which take place Monday night. Fellow American Katie Ledecky races in the 200m freestyle semifinal Monday.

His first individual event was the 200m butterfly, an event where Phelps already possesses two gold medals and one silver. He is in fifth place out of 10 in the heats.

While a number of incidents plagued Phelps following the 2012 London Games, the Olympian says he’s more focused than ever and determined to leave the sport on his own terms.

“I haven’t trained like this in a decade,” Phelps told Matt Lauer in an earlier TODAY interview. “I want to retire how I want to retire and I have a great opportunity to do that.”

How to Watch: Watch Phelp’s return to individual Olympic competition live on your smartphone or desktop computer. The preliminary heats will air live on NBC Sports at noon ET. The semifinal is at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Austin Hack, of Old Lyme, is competing in the men's eight rowing event at the Rio Olympics.

HACK ATTACK

Connecticut put more rowers in the water on Monday after rowing events were postponed on Sunday due to high winds.

Old Lyme native Austin Hack rowed in the second heat of the men's eight. The 6-foot 8-inch Hack comes from a rowing family. Both of his parents were rowers in college, and he has been rowing since sixth grade.

There are only seven boats racing in the men's eight, and six of the seven will advance to the finals for a chance to row for gold.

The U.S. boat came in second in the second heat, at 5:40:16. They came in behind Germany and ahead of Poland.

How to Watch: Watch the replay on any device by clicking here.

Ibtihaj Muhammad at Opening Ceremony
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Ibtihaj Muhammad of USA Fencing waves to the crowd as athletes enter Maracana Stadium during the spectacular opening ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games on Aug. 5, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

MUSLIM FENCER FROM NJ TO MAKE HISTORY

Ibtihaj Muhammad, the middle daughter of a retired detective and special education teacher, made history Monday when she became the first U.S. athlete to compete in the Olympics while wearing a hijab, the head scarf worn by some Muslim women.

The Maplewood, NJ native, ranked seventh in the world in the women’s saber, began fencing after her mother saw fencers practicing and suggested she try the sport because of its modest uniforms.

“I feel like I’ve been blessed to be in this position, to be given this platform,” said Muhammad. “When I think of my predecessors, and people who’ve spoken out against bigotry and hate, I feel like I owe it not just to myself but to my community to try and fight it.”

Muhammad won her opening bout, but lost the second to Cecilia Berder, of France, and is out of the individual competition.

How to Watch: Watch live on your smartphone or desktop computer.

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Devin McEwan, of Salisbury, hits the rapids in Rio to compete in the men's canoe double slalom.

CAN I CANOE?

Devin McEwan paddled in a bit rougher water in the men's canoe double slalom on Monday and he and Casey Eichfeld are in 10th place out of 12.

McEwan grew up in Salisbury, Connecticut, but has gotten the nickname "Dude" because he says he's had a bit of California sneak into his accent.

He follows in the footsteps of his late father, who competed in canoe in two prior Olympics.

How to Watch: The canoe events begin at 11:30 a.m. ET and can be seen on NBC. You can also watch the livestream of the event here.

US Women's Field Hockey
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Katie Bam (left) of United States runs past Belen Succi of Argentina during a Women's Pool B match between the United States and Argentina on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Hockey Centre on Aug. 6, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

FIELD HOCKEY LOOKS TO BUILD ON LAST-PLACE FINISH

The U.S. women’s field hockey team finished last at the London Olympics, winning just one of its six games, but they beat Australia, 2 to 1, Monday in Rio.

Following the 2012 Games, the team brought in a new coach, Craig Parnham, and overhauled its system in the hopes of Olympic success in Rio.

The team entered the Olympics with its highest world ranking ever at fifth and a legitimate shot at a medal, something the U.S. hasn’t accomplished in the sport since 1984.

This is a return to the Olympics for UConn grad Melissa Gonzalez.

How to Watch: See the replay of United States squaring off against Australia on your smartphone or desktop computer. 

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