While many details about the Opening Ceremonies have leaked
out, the identity of the final torchbearer remains a secret. Don
Mischer, the show's producer, and ACOG execs picked two themes
for the four-hour show: the history of the Olympics and "the
Southern experience." Mischer was looking for more "emotion"
than past Olympic openings (Pousner & Murray, ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 7/19). Olympic officials have discussed addressing
the TWA tragedy during the Opening Ceremonies, but have not yet
determined if it would be appropriate ("SportsCenter," ESPN,
7/18).
LOW EXPECTATIONS: Mischer: "Hopefully we're going to
succeed, but no one ever has" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/19).
HAMMER TIME? The N.Y. POST floats Hank Aaron as a
possibility for the torch lighting (N.Y. POST, 7/19). The TAMPA
TRIBUNE notes speculation has Atlanta native and gold medalist
Edwin Moses doing the honors (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 7/19). WORLD
STAGE: In Chicago, Philip Hersh calls it "the South's global
coming-out party" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/19).
TRUCKIN': The DETROIT NEWS notes Mischer's disappointment
with the injection of commercialism into the ceremonies, in the
form of specially chromed GM trucks. Mischer: "I was sorry to
see what GM publicized regarding this." GM officials said they
were asked to participate in the ceremonies and did not publicize
their role -- rather they were merely responding to media
questions. While the trucks had a blue "CHEVROLET" on the
tailgates during rehearsal, one source said the look may change
by tonight. GM officials would not confirm (AP/DETROIT NEWS,
7/19).