Vote For Greatest Sports Films

While searching the LA Times for coverage of the IOC's Fifth World Conference on Women and Sport (underway through Saturday), stumbled upon a sports film competition inviting readers to submit their top 10 lists of greatest sports films.

There are some excellent nominations posted by readers, and here's my list submitted for consideration:

1. Chariots of Fire

2. One Day In September

3. Bull Durham

4. Olympia

5. Breaking Away

6. Any Given Sunday

7. 16 Days of Glory

8. The Natural

9. Rocky

10. Personal Best

Of course, could have gone with a few more outstanding Olympic-themed films including Berlin '36, Munich (which is a Spielberg REMAKE of Sword of Gideon), Ice Castles, The Cutting Edge, Prefontaine, Downhill Racer or Cool Runnings. Also considered more documentaries such as Tokyo Olympiad, and comedies including Jerry Maguire, Caddyshack, Happy Gilmore or Major League.

I always enjoyed the winter Olympic venues in the James Bond films On Her Majesty's Secret Service and For Your Eyes Only.

What are your favorites? Be sure to cast your votes via the LA Times. Happy voting!

Photo via Barnes & Noble

More Opening Ceremonies

Spent most of today at my computer for client work, so no new updates from the Olympic City (though heading to client LiveCity Downtown shortly).

But wanted to get a new shot from last night up for perusal -- the photo on this post is via the LA Times, and that is yours truly, bottom-left corner of image about third person up (in the snazzy white holding up camera as Team USA cruises into B.C. Place).

More blogging time on Sunday, or so I've pencilled in on calendar.

Rafer Johnson 25 Years Later

As noted recently, the LA Sports Council hosted a gala LA84 XXV celebration of the Olympiad and city "that saved the Olympic Games," according to former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

Today (July 28) marks the "official" anniversary of the spectacular kick-off to those Games -- yes, 25 years ago tonight I was glued to the TV as ABC broadcast David Wolper's masterpiece opening for the Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad. The LA Times has a great series on the anniversary featured for the next few days, and a gala gallery of attending Olympians. USA Today's Christine Brennan also reported on the silver anniversary of LA's second Olympic host stint.

There were dozens of "moments" that night: The biggest card trick of all time, the "Rocketman" flyover, 84 grand pianos appearing out of nowhere, and the debut of John Williams' outstanding Olympic fanfare are highlights.

But it was Rafer Johnson's ascent to ignite the Olympic Cauldron that captivated me most. Bill Dwire really tells the tale well in the LA Times features.

I was extremely lucky to speak with Mr. Johnson inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on July 18 at the gala (see video) and witness his encore lighting of the cauldron.

Off camera, when asked his level of nervousness in the moment climbing the stairs, Johnson and I happened to be at the base of that stairway, and he looked up it, smiled and said there were countless, incredible emotions before and since that night and iconic moment in 1984, but that one thing relieved him at the gala.

"I was nervous. And looking up these stairs again, one thing is certain: I am happy not to have to run up them again tonight!"