LET THE GAMES BEGIN: IT'S ALMOST SHOWTIME

     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).