To the Point

Three-Day Countdown to Opening of Athens Olympics

More than 10,000 of the world-s most gifted people from 202 countries are gathering in Athens. Opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics will be held Friday night, and competition begins on Saturday. But only half the tickets have sold so far, as construction delays, doping scandals and questions about security have diverted attention from athletic competition and international good will. We learn what the Olympic Village looks like with the Americans team assuming a low profile, and hear about China-s hopes of dominating the Games. On NBC-s seven TV channels, will Americans see much of athletes from other countries? Will coverage focus on the events themselves, or on -human interest- and personal profiles? Warren Olney previews the sports and the spectacle with media watchers and reporters in the US and Greece. Making News: President Bush Appoints Porter Goss as CIA Director President Bush has chosen a new Director for the Central Intelligence Agency. Retiring Republican Congressman Porter Goss of Florida, who served in the CIA for nine years, now chairs the House Committee on Intelligence. Bush called Goss "the right man to lead this important agency at this critical moment.- Walter Pincusof the Washington Post says Goss, who still needs Senate confirmation, may face opposition from some Democrats. Reporter-s Notebook: International Observers to Monitor US Presidential Election This year, for the first time, America-s presidential election will be scrutinized by an official team of international observers. Congressional Democrats asked for observers from the UN, and the Bush administration compromised by inviting the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Andrew Buncombe, who reports from Washington for the Independent of London, has more on monitors' purpose and their powers.