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RIO DE JANEIRO -- We are five days into the Olympics. Michael Phelps has won more medals. The U.S. is winning more basketball games. Usain Bolt has arrived for track and field. And also unsurprisingly, the Olympic plaza is filled with smiling fans who snap selfies and shoot video of the surrounding crowds, venues, flags and Olympic rings.While standing outside the Olympic tennis courts, I ask Dwayne Taylor, visiting here from Atlanta, whether his experience in Rio has been good. He replies, Good is an understatement.The locals are so nice, Taylor said. Everybody cares for you. Everybody who has given us tours has given us contact information to know where to go and what to do.We are still early into these Olympics, but so far the widespread pre-Games fears and criticisms have been mostly unfounded. Sure, transportation can be a pain at times -- with occasionally baffling routes as well -- but that is often the case at Olympics (particularly Atlanta). And pretty much anywhere else in life around rush hour, for that matter.While there were reports a media bus either had been attacked by someone throwing rocks throw or shooting bullets, I havent had any safety concerns, neither around the main Olympic park nor in Copacabana and Ipanema. There are many security forces, reportedly even more than in London. Going from the press center into the public area of Olympic park Tuesday, I passed bus after bus filled with security guards while a group of soldiers in camouflage gear walked past me. They also are stationed throughout the park and venues.Ticket sales were disappointing in the months leading up to the Olympics, which was not surprising considering that prices are -- surprise! -- usually very high at the Olympics and Brazil is struggling economically. For instance, Chris Evans of Atlanta said a ticket to swimming heats cost him approximately $100 apiece, and the womens gymnastics all-around were about $300 each. But at least he got to see Phelps and Simone Biles.Sales have risen lately, but most of the events Ive attended have been roughly half full of fans. That includes beach volleyball, even though it is a hugely popular sport here and ticket prices are reasonable. Evans said his ticket cost only $30.While I would prefer for the Olympic flame to be in the main park, and that the mascots were around more, the 11 venues I have been to all appear up to Olympic standard. Although for some reason, the concession stands were not open at field hockey for the U.S.-Argentina womens match Saturday evening. Fortunately, the American women were well hydrated because they beat the higher-ranked Argentinians.A couple of venues, meanwhile, are spectacular.Located on an actual beach with swarms of residents and tourists in shorts and the occasional swimsuit brief or bikini, the Copacabana beach volleyball site is the best Ive seen in the sport. And if I were competing in rowing, I might accidentally catch a crab because I would be so distracted by the gorgeous backdrop of mountains that includes one topped by the Christ the Redeemer statue.The Maria Lenk Aquatics Center for water polo and diving has been a little odd, however. Not the structure or seating, but the water. At Mondays mens synchro competition, the diving pool and the water polo pool both were the usual light blue you see in swimming pools anywhere. Tuesday, however, the diving pool water was green. Officials initially could not explain the change in color -- did someone just dump in dye? -- but said that water tests showed no risk to the divers. It was later determined that algae was the culprit.The track and field stadium also is a long way from the Olympic park, which is very unusual for one of the most important sports. Well see how long it takes for the athletes and fans to get there (count on the media to complain no matter how long it takes).Rio is a very large city, and U.S. tennis player Steve Johnson said that if he had more time, he would go out and see as much of it as possible. But its still another tennis tournament, so youre still playing and practicing. Which means he doesnt have enough time.Still, he says these Olympics have been an experience he will embrace forever.Which is the whole point of being here. Regardless of the conditions, the transportation or the worries, the most important thing is watching the sports that exhilarate and inspire.Travis Stevens, who nearly lost a leg and almost had his career ended because of various illnesses last August, took silver in the 81kg division of judo Tuesday. Speaking with reporters afterward while Olympic music could be heard in the background, he proudly held up his medal and talked about how it made all his sacrifices worth it.I couldnt have asked for anything more, Stevens, who plans to move up in weight, said of his Olympic experience. I love Rio. I love the city. I started my career here, and now the 81-kilo division is being hung up, so this was a perfect way to end it. Cheap Custom Rockets Jersey .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shootout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not. Custom Rockets Jerseys . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. http://www.customrocketsjersey.com/ . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Rockets Jerseys China . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Custom Rockets T-shirts . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night.Can you guess which Sky Academy Ambassador is surprising the Student of the Year for Scotland with their Award? Check out all the winners as they get their awards here! ' ' '