COSTAS' OLYMPIC COMMENTS CRITICIZED BY CHINESE GROUPS ON

     NBC's Bob Costas was the target of a quarter page ad in
Wednesday's Washington Post congratulating the Chinese Olympic
team and criticizing Costas for comments he made about the team.
The ad, taken out by a number of Chinese organizations, said
Costas' "hostile comments against many international athletes,
including Team China, had badly contaminated the spirit of the
Olympics and deeply offended countless viewers worldwide."  The
ad called on Costas and NBC to "have the courage to publicly
apologize for their ignominious prejudice and inhospitality"
(WASHINGTON POST, 8/15).  Rudy Martzke notes Costas' comments
came during the Opening Ceremonies when he said China is
"building into a power, but amidst suspicions ... especially
concerning their track athletes and their female swimmers,
possibly using performance enhancing drugs."  Yesterday, Costas
said he was "sorry if my remarks were misinterpreted" (USA TODAY,
8/15).