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August 13, 2004 4:14 pm

Notebook: Currency at the ready

By

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - While final preparations for Opening Ceremonies were under way at the OAKA-Olympic Stadium Friday, another opening was taking place across the compound.

The Olympic Superstore, official purveyor of all things licensed, invited customers in. While laurel wreaths weren't on the hat racks, 19 euros ($23.43) baseball caps with embroidered laurels were. Temperatures rising? Just add water to the Olympic logo-covered three-ring inflatable pool that sells for 12 euros (14.80). Thirsty? Scotch glasses, set of 3, are 17 euros ($20).

Country flags, including the American flag, suitable for patriotic waving at the venues, are 12 euros ($14.75).

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Tennis star Venus Williams grabbed a microphone instead of a tennis racket on Friday in Athens, hawking Big Macs instead of big serves.

Williams helped kick off a McDonald's competition pitting Big Mac-making employees from around the globe. Representatives from 35 countries built the sandwiches in a timed event at the Main Press Center.

The contestants all wore the floppy, Olympic-themed hats employees are sporting at the Games.

"The first thing I did in the Olympic Village," said Williams, just before the lettuce and special sauce started flying, "was go to the McDonald's because I was trying to get my hat."

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Bob Christianson, of Palm Harbor, Fla., sat in the 90-degree heat, more than four hours before Opening Ceremonies lobbying for a ticket.

Christianson has been to 15 consecutive Opening Ceremonies - Summer and Winter Olympics - and was worried his streak could end after a credit card glitch erased his order.

The last time Christianson was as concerned about getting an Olympic ticket was the men's basketball game in Barcelona between The Dream Team and Angola.

"You hate to see a streak end," Christianson said. "But it's not over yet."

No word on whether Christianson made it in, but don't bet against him.

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One of the Games' most remarkable comeback stories is 27-year-old Canadian diver Philippe Comtois.

He underwent two surgeries, spent months in the hospital and had to learn to walk again after tearing all the ligaments in his knee when hitting the diving board with his leg in March 2000.

But he competing again in less than a year, even after having to change his primary plant leg. He'll compete in two events in Athens - the synchronized 10-meter platform and individual 3-meter springboard.

``It was like a nightmare, but then I woke up and it was real,'' Comtois said. ``I said to myself that if I can walk, I can dive. I never thought I would quit. I missed the 2000 Games, but I thought there will always be Olympic Games.''

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Marta Fernandez and younger brother Rodolfo endured legendary one-on-one basketball battles while growing up on the island of Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Marta, 22, got the upper hand on Rudy, three years her junior, but no more.

``I'll admit she won then, but the situation has changed radically now,'' said Rudy, who was Most Valuable Player in this year's Spanish Cup, duplicating his sister's honor from 2003.

Their parents, both professional basketball players, missed Friday night's Opening Ceremony, when Marty and Rudy walked together, but planned to arrive in Athens today.

``To be here is great all by itself, but to be here with my brother at the Olympic Games is unbelievable,'' Marta said.

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