More Olympians talk about the opening ceremony

The U.S. Olympic Committee on Friday released comments from athletes who took part in Friday night's opening ceremony for the Beijing Games. Here are some of the athletes' impressions.

Brian Olson (Judo)

“It was awesome. A lot different from the other ones. I was very impressed. I didn’t get to see the first part because we were in the holding tank, but for me, being the vet, seeing the new guys’ faces when we were walking out of the chute and into the stadium for the first time was awesome. This Olympics has gone above and beyond. It was special, whether it’s your fourth or first.”

Taylor Takata (Judo)

“I think the best part of the ceremony itself was when the guy was flying around and lighting the torch. When he was going around over the crowd it was awesome, but the real best part was meeting all the other athletes and taking pictures with everybody.”

Valerie Gotay (Judo)

“Being with all the athletes was cool. That was the biggest thrill. Coming out of the tunnel and everybody chanting “USA!” and doing our walk with the U.S. delegation. That was memorable. Unforgettable. Motivating.”

Erin Blanchard (Trampoline)

“It was amazing. I had goosebumps the whole way around. It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me. There were so many people there, and I don’t think that I’ve ever seen that many people in one place before. The lighting of the torch was absolutely breathtaking.”

Jean Lopez (Taekwondo)

“It was awesome. The way they lit the torch was amazing. It's always the most anticipated part of the opening ceremonies and I was in complete awe. Beijing has delivered a great start to the Games.”

Charlotte Craig (Taekwondo)

“It was amazing, more than what I expected. I had a great time. My heart was racing when we walked into the stadium with all the people cheering. And I got to walk in next to LeBron James and all the basketball players. It was great to be next to them and next to the Lopez family as we marched in together.”

Michael Blatchford (Cycling)

“It was mind boggling to walk out to 90,000 cheering people while chanting USA with all the other U.S. Olympians and representing your country.”

Sadam Ali (Boxing)

“It was reaaly nice, it was inspirational. It made me want to compete. Standing with the whole U.S. team made me feel really good.”

Demetrius Andrade (Boxing)

“It was once in a lifetime. It was crazy, I loved it. I was speechless at times. It was wonderful. I really liked the torch and the guy flying through the air.”

Adam Duvendeck (Cycling)

“We were expecting something big and they definitely delivered. The torch lighting was awesome. It definitely stood out in my mind.”

Bobby Lea (Cycling)

“The first few steps into the stadium ... I just felt like the hard work and dedication we put in to get here is what the Olympics are all about. It really drives home that this is the greatest stage for any athlete.”

Photos: President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush wave to U.S. athletes during the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the Bird's Nest. Credit: Alexander Hassenstein / Bongarts / Getty Images. Insert: Erin Blanchard. Credit: USOC

Judo official resigns amid allegations

A USA Judo official who is alleged to have molested teenage competitors he coached 30 years ago resigned from the organization's board of directors -- the same day the allegations became public in a New York Times story first posted online.

USA Judo announced the Friday resignation of Fletcher Thornton, 69, on its website Saturday. A spokeswoman said Thornton was a referee at a tournament in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, but he did not participate Saturday and had left by Sunday.

The Associated Press tried to contact Thornton, who lives in Middletown, Calif., but the number was disconnected.

Thornton denied the allegations to the newspaper.

Jose H. Rodriguez, chief executive of USA Judo, told the AP on Sunday that Thornton was not asked to resign but that the move puts the spotlight back on the athletes less than two weeks from the start of the Beijing Games.

The New York Times story, which was published in Saturday's print edition, said several young athletes in affidavits from 1981 accused Thornton of drugging and sexually molesting teenage competitors he coached in the late 1970s. A new accuser also surfaced in 2005, according to the report. And in June, American judo medal hopeful Ronda Rousey drew attention to the issue by posting a blog about it.

The U.S. Olympic Committee has said it has opened an inquiry into the allegations.

Rodriguez said a committee investigated the allegations in 1982 and 1983 and found that nobody filed a formal complaint.

-- Debbie Goffa

USOC to investigate molestation allegations

The New York Times reports that the U.S. Olympic Committee will stage a formal investigation into allegations that a high-ranking USA Judo official has been accused of drugging and sexually molesting teenage athletes during the late 1970s.