Before    the    Opening    Ceremony

Report on 9/14: In Melbourne, the USA Women Soccer team defeats the Norwegian team, winnning two-nil.

Pleasant surprise #1- USA dominated the match against a team they had a 2-3-1 record this year.

Pleasant surprise #2- Andres Cantor was doing the commentary en Ingles.
Which leads to the
Most Anticipated Moment- "Goooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!!"

You can't tell the players without...a scorecard wouldn't have made a difference as you can't see the players' numbers anyway. The only closeups shots were during breaks in play.

There are no TV timeouts at the Olympics. Be prepared for cutaways during the action.

Best Commercial- Didn't see any standouts. Advertisers are saving their big guns for NBC's prime-time telecasts.

Key Jim Lampley Moment- The USA Women have achieved world superstardom as they are known by single names - Mia, Brandi, Julie, Shannon...

Best Vista- Olivia Newton-John brings the Olympic Flame to Sydney with the backdrop of the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge lit up at night

Most Inspirational Story- 34 year old Kayaker Cliff Meidel was voted to carry the USA Flag at the Opening Ceremony. At the age of 20, his legs were nearly amputated after an electrocution accident.