Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407300017
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA LENGTH: Medium
The opening ceremony even started on time.
On the first full day of competition in the 16-day event, the U.S. basketball team cruised past Argentina 83-71, two Russian weightlifters combined for five world records and U.S. volleyballers were kings of the beach.
Crowds were scarce at all events, except for Saturday night's opening ceremony at Kirov Stadium, where a near-capacity 70,000 people watched an extravaganza rivaling the dazzling shows put on at the Olympics.
Two fireballs sped toward each other along an invisible wire, colliding over a cauldron to light the flame for the biggest sports event in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The two-hour ceremony, held on a sun-lit summer evening, was an eclectic mix of Russian poems by Alexander Pushkin, classical music by Tchaikovsky, rock tunes, circus acrobats, martial arts experts, ballet dancers, jump-rope champions and fireworks.
Among those enjoying the festivities were Yeltsin, games founder Ted Turner and International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch.
Yeltsin officially opened the games, declaring, ``I'm sure four years from now our hearts will be moved when we recall these sports events on the banks of the river Neva.
``This is a joyous meeting of old friends. The links between politicians and athletes are very close and we understand each other through them.''
Earlier, Yeltsin said he was proud that Russia was staging such a large event - with more than 2,000 athletes from around the world. The first two Goodwill Games were held in Moscow, in 1986, and Seattle, in 1990.
``The very fact that the games are taking place in Russia signifies that the world sports movement trusts our country,'' he said.
Yeltsin's presence probably had a lot to do with the smooth, punctual and highly professional running of the ceremony.
A day earlier, organizers had been forced to postpone the swimming competition because the water in the SKK indoor pool was a swampy green due to a faulty filtration system.
The water was still a light green Saturday. But after an inspection, officials declared the water safe and gave the go-ahead for all 20 swim races to be held today. The highlight will be the 50-meter duel between world record-holder Tom Jager and Olympic champion Alexander Popov.
While Dream Team II prepares for the World Championships in Toronto next month, a team of lesser-known U.S. collegians got off to a good start Saturday with a convincing win over Argentina.
The Americans never were seriously threatened in the second half, leading 81-60 with about three minutes left, before Argentina scored 11 of the final 13 points.
Michael Finley of Wisconsin came off the bench to lead the team with 16 points. Lou Roe of Massachusetts contributed 13 points, Damon Stoudamire of Arizona had 12 and Shawn Respert of Michigan State 10.
Head coach George Raveling wasn't completely satisfied with the performance.
``We played well offensively in spots,'' he said. ``We played well defensively in spots. But we're not going to win the gold medal with a spotty performance.''
On Sunday night, the Americans will face Russia.
``I think there will be a more enthusiastic crowd when we play the Russians,'' Stoudamire said. ``They will have a lot of crowd support. It will be a big game for us. We're in their country. We're playing in front of their people.''
In other games in the eight-team round-robin event, Russia edged China 95-93, Italy defeated Brazil 72-67 and Puerto Rico beat Croatia 93-74.
by CNB