Part of it might be the heat. It's hot and humid outside, and these events tend to run 2 hours or more. There is a big U.S. contingent here, including Michael Phelps mother, and one of his sisters, who I saw this morning at their hotel.

There were two police officers stationed between the U.S. families and the athletes last night, both with bullet proof vests that they wore over their clothing (instead of under, as is more typical). Guess they stay a little cooler that way, and bottled water was brought over to them.

Montreal had this event taken away from them earlier in the year, and then given back after the Mayor of Montreal guaranteed the various financing that is needed to underwrite it. Guess we'll know next week if they broke even or not. The Canadian swimmers are getting serious applause in their events, so certainly a lot of Canadians in the stands.