Blaine Newnham / Times associate editor
U.S. will slip into Games with quiet, orderly entrance

LEFTERIS PITARAKIS / AP Greek Olympic medalist Niki Bakoyianni lights the Olympic cauldron in front of the columns of the ancient Parthenon temple atop Acropolis Hill yesterday.

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ATHENS — With the world watching, I don't worry whether the Americans will be appropriate parts proper and passionate for tonight's ceremony that opens the Athens Olympics.

They've picked a wonderful role model as their flag-bearer in Dawn Staley, the tough little U.S. point guard who willed herself from the harsh projects of Philadelphia.

"My life has been tremendous in our country," Staley said yesterday. "You will see me walk into that stadium as proud as proud can be."

Behind her, Americans will line up eight abreast, instructed to handle themselves with a newfound and, in these times, prudent dignity.

The camera-mugging free-for-all of recent Olympic Games is not expected here.

"We have a reputation for not following the rules," said Seattle Storm coach Anne Donovan, the assistant coach of the U.S. women's team and herself a three-time Olympian. "We were told this week to be like everyone else, to follow the rules, and I know this team got it."

Usually near the end of an alphabetical parade of teams into the main stadium, the Americans will be 56th of 202 teams this time, the Greek alphabet transforming USA to HPA, or eta pi alpha.

"We think we can start a new tradition," said Herman Frazier, the U.S. team's chef de mission and gold medalist from the '76 Games. "We are looking for a very orderly and nice team, a team of solid citizens that is ready to compete."

The world has changed since a few Americans goofed off in Sydney — particularly the 400 men's relay team — delighting some with their bravado, while seriously embarrassing others.

What concerns me are the faces you won't see in the American delegation as it sweeps onto the track at the main Olympic Stadium. The Games have become so important, so structured, that some sports have decided their athletes' time would be better spent resting.
 
Not so for the U.S. women's basketball team, which begins defense of its gold medal tomorrow afternoon.

"I'm glad our team never even talked about not marching," said Sue Bird, the Seattle Storm player who is Staley's backup on the U.S. team. "I want to enjoy everything here.

"And don't worry, I'll do what I'm told to do."

Marching was not an option for Brett McClure, the gymnast from Mill Creek, who, like Bird, starts competition the afternoon after the ceremony.

"The opening ceremonies will be emotionally draining," said McClure. "They are a huge production. We'll sit this one out. It's disappointing, but if it will help us win a medal, it will be worth it."

Anna Mickelson remembers hearing that Australia's eight-oared crew had decided to skip the ceremony, too.

"I knew then that there would be a slim chance we would be going," said the rower from Bellevue. "I was pretty devastated."

In Mickelson's case, her team voted to skip it, even though the U.S. eight, a favorite for the gold medal, doesn't race for the first time until Sunday.

"The night before the night before you usually get your best rest," said Mickelson. "If we were going, we would have had to leave for the stadium at 4 in the afternoon and not get home until 2 or 3 in the morning. That's a long time to be on your feet."

Lance Bade said he still gets chills thinking about the opening ceremony in Atlanta, where he eventually won a bronze medal in trap shooting.

"There is no adrenaline rush like it," he said. "You walk in as a member of the most powerful team in the world, and you know everyone is watching."

Bade, who is from Vancouver, Wash., will likely watch tonight's festivities on television, however. He starts shooting tomorrow afternoon. The final in trap is Sunday.

"I can barbecue a steak, relax and get ready," he said. "You spend four years on this. You have to give yourself your best shot."

The U.S. Olympic Committee doesn't decide which athletes will or won't march. It leaves that up to the teams, who sometimes leave it up to the athletes.

McClure didn't have a vote. In fact, he said the gymnasts also will, for security reasons, leave Greece a day after they finish competing.

"I'll have one day to see Athens," he said.

He should have a month.

The U.S. triathlon team won't arrive in Athens until the middle of next week, choosing to train instead in Florida. One of its members, Victor Plata, appealed for a chance to march in the ceremony.

Plata has no chance to medal. He had his priorities right. The triathlon bosses, who didn't, vetoed his appeal.

"I'm disappointed," said Mickelson, "but I'd rather have a medal around my neck and be going to the closing ceremonies than the opposite."

Bade wonders why the USOC couldn't have special vans standing by after the ceremony to whisk away those competing the next day or two.

The athletes should always decide in these matters, not their coaches or managers. Moreover, if the opening ceremony is important enough to do right, then they are important enough to include all.

Blaine Newnham: 206-464-2364 or bnewnham@seattletimes.com.