ATHENS - Four muscular Greek soldiers walked into the Carrefour department store near the Olympic stadium, their faces set like a recruiting poster.
Dressed in desert-tan camouflage, they drew nervous stares yesterday as they walked up and down the aisles, as if on a mission.
Finally, they turned the corner and began moving with military precision. A dozen folding lounge chairs - in the Greek colors of blue and white - were loaded into shopping carts, paid for and wheeled across the street to be distributed to foot-weary guards at perimeter checkpoints.
Mission accomplished. And for an end-of-summer 30 percent discount.
Whats ahead today
Michael Phelps opens his historic quest with the 400-meter individual medley.
Katie Hoff, a 15-year-old member of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, is among the favorites in the womens 400 IM.
The U.S. women's softball team opens its campaign for a gold-medal threepeat against Italy.
The U.S. women's soccer plays Brazil in the preliminary round.
Gaithersburg's Gao Jun, a silver medalist for her native China in 1992, opens play in womens singles table tennis.
Todays TV schedule
NBC
Noon-6 p.m.: diving*, mens gymnastics, swimming, womens beach volleyball, womens volleyball
8 p.m.-midnight: cycling, diving, mens gymnastics, swimming
CNBC
2 a.m.-4 p.m.: rowing*, shooting, softball*, womens basketball*, womens volleyball, womens soccer*, fencing, mens soccer*, weightlifting
MSNBC
5 p.m.-8 p.m.: boxing
Bravo
5 p.m.-8 p.m.: badminton, womens field hockey, table tennis
Telemundo
1 p.m.-8 p.m.: womens soccer, boxing, mens soccer*
Tomorrow's early TV schedule
NBC
12:30 a.m.-2 a.m.: beach volleyball
2 a.m.-6 a.m.: prime time replay
CNBC
2 a.m.-4 p.m.: rowing*, mens volleyball*, mens and womens beach volleyball, mens basketball*, equestrian, water polo, mens soccer*, weightlifting
Bravo
Midnight-1 a.m.: judo, sailing
*-indicates live coverage.
Note: NBC carried by WBAL/Channel 11 and WRC/Channel 4.
