Sport: Bearish Beginning in Moscow

The clouded Games get under way in a grand setting

Though the Moscow Olympics are not due to open until this Saturday, the refurbished Lenin Stadium was swarming with more than 15,000 people for much of last week. Gymnasts, musicians, students and some 100 truckloads of soldiers were on hand to rehearse the opening ceremony; the troops were readying flash-card routines, including a rendering of the ubiquitous Teddy-bear mascot Misha. As if to underscore the official line that all was going well, newspapers trumpeted a statement by an African sports official that "in spite...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!