The time difference this year is at times unforgiving but our Olympic hopefuls will make the late nights and early mornings worth the effort. Set your alarm clock for these Olympic events. 

They are set to become Olympic legends - the first siblings to win gold and silver medals in the same swimming event. Ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world respectively, their chances are likely. Do not miss the chance to see Olympic folklore as it happens.

Cate, 24, won gold in London 2012 Olympics and is the current world recorder of the 100 metre individual freestyle event. 22-year-old Bronte won three golds at the 2015 World Championships and was out swum by her sister at this year's Australian Championships by 0.3 seconds.

When to watch:

Friday, August 12, 11am: men's and women's semi-finals, finals including women's 100m freestyle final

Sunday, August 12, 11am: men's and women's finals including women's 4 x 100m medley relay final.

She started riding at eight years old and is now Australia's gold medal hopeful for equestrian. As this year's equestrian captain, Tops-Alexander is is considered by many the No.1 female showjumping champion in Australia. Tops-Alexander will be riding Caretina De Joter at her third Olympics.

When to watch:

Sunday, August 14, 10am: jumping individual qualification

Friday, August 19, 11pm: jumping individual final

In a sport that many say was popularised by Kel Night from Kath and Kim, Jared Tallent is a race walk champion and predicted lead Australia to gold medal victory.

Only last month Tallent, 31, received gold for the 2012 in London after the Russian winner was disqualified for doping. Now he is one medal away from having the most medals of any Australian male athletics competitor. If you have a spare three and a half hours, do not miss Tallent's event.

When to watch:

Friday, August 19, 9pm: men's 50km walk

The sport was only ratified for women at Olympic games in 2009 and first appeared at London in 2012. Now Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shelley Watts is on track to score a medal for Australia at this year's games. She started the sport to maintain her fitness after being forced off the football pitch from an ACL injury. Now the 27-year-old is considered the highest internationally ranked female boxer in Australia.

When to watch:

Saturday, August 13, 12am: women's lightweight preliminaries

Tuesday, August 15, 12am: women's lightweight quarter-finals

Thursday, August 18, 3am: women's lightweight semifinals

Saturday, August 20, 3am: women's lightweight final

At just 16, Willoughby packed his bags and travelled to the US to pursue BMX. In 2012, he became Australia's first Olympic BMX medallist with silver at London 2012 and is now on track to win another medal at Rio.

Willoughby, 22, is part of a strong Australian BMX lineup that includes Caroline Buchanan, 2016 UCI BMX elite women's time trial world champion.

When to watch:

Thursday, August 18, 2.30am: men's BMX quarter-finals

Friday, August 19, 2.30am: men's BMX final

Fox won silver at the London games when she was 18 years old. Now the she is predicted to bag a gold medal in Rio - likely considering she won the women's C1 final at the World Cup in June.

Both her parents are Olympic champions for the same sport and Fox is coached by her father.

When to watch:

Tuesday, August 9, 1:30am: women's kayak (K1): 1st run and 2nd run

Friday, August 12, 1:30am: women's kayak (K1) semi-finals and finals

The Australian men's national field hockey team have won nine Olympic medals. This year's squad enter the games as world champions and favourites to take gold.

Before their first Olympic gold medal in 2004, the team was said to be cursed after losing three Olympic finals previously.

When to watch:

Sunday, August 7, 2:30am: Kookaburras v New Zealand

Monday, August 8, 9:30am: Kookaburras v Spain

Wednesday, August 10, 9:30am: Kookaburras v Belgium

Thursday, August 11, 9:30am: Kookaburras v Great Britain

Saturday, August 13, 9:30am: Kookaburras v Brazil

They are ranked fifth in the world, but their determination and manageable draw mean the Matildas could win Australia's first medal in soccer. The team will come up against Germany, Canada and Zimbabwe.

In a controversial upset, the Matildas attracted attention early this year after losing to an under 15's men team in a friendly game earlier this year. The team said it was an informal match and they were missing many key international players.

When to watch:

Thursday, August 4, 4am: Matildas v Canada

Sunday, August 7, 4am: Australia v Germany

Wednesday, August 10, 5am: Australia v Zimbabwe

Saturday, August 13, 4am: Women's Quarter-final

Saturday, August 20, 2:00am: Women's Bronze Medal Match

Saturday, August 20, 6:30am: Women's Gold Medal Match

It is the debut of the sport in the Olympics and the Australian women's team are favourites to win gold.

The team became professional after rugby sevens was announced as an Olympic sport. This attracted athletes from other commitments who dedicated their time to the side. Sevens are one of the fastest growing women's team sports in the world and the Aussies are ranked No. 1 in the world.

When to watch:

Sunday, August 7, 12:00am: six matches including Australia v Colombia

Sunday, August 7, 5am: six matches including Australia v Fiji

Monday, August 8, 12am: six matches including Australia v United States

Monday, August 8, 5am: women's placing 9-12 and quarter finals

Tuesday, August 9, 1.30am: women's placing 5-12, semi-finals

Tuesday, August 9, 6.30am: women's placing 5-8, finals

Rio will be Potent's fifth straight Olympics. Having already won bronze, the 52-year-old has his eyes on what will be his first gold medal. Potent began shooting at the age of 16 and now he is ranked second in the world.

The age spread of the team is 16-61.

When to watch:

Friday, August 12, 10pm: men's qualification, finals including men's 50m rifle prone

** BONUS ATHLETE **

Although Harradine, 33, is not a medal guarantee, his event will be worth watching because the discus thrower likes to sport themed competition suits.

When to watch:

Saturday, August 13, 11.40pm: men's discus throw final