Thursday at the Games

Utah connections

Former BYU volleyball player Ryan Millar led the U.S. team with 2 of 18 blocks, but the Russians defeated the Americans 3 games to 1.

Recently signed Jazzman Carlos Boozer had six points on 3-of-4 shooting in the U.S. men's basketball victory over Australia. University of Utah star Andrew Bogut had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Aussies.

Former Jazzman Sasha Pavlovic made both of his shots, but Serbia-Montenegro lost to New Zealand 90-87.

Jazz point guard Carlos Arroyo had 16 points and former Jazz player Jose Ortiz added six in Puerto Rico's 83-80 victory over Angola.

Sarah Farnworth, pitching for Greece, gave up 3 runs on 3 hits as the United States blanked Greece 7-0 in women's softball. Stacey Farnworth, her cousin, struck out once and walked once.

Weather

The mercury reached 95 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Today's forecast calls for more of the same — clear skies and a high of 93.

Sky-high costs

A Greek government official said costs for the Athens Olympics are climbing again, expected to top $8.5 billion because of the massive security and overruns in the scramble to get venues ready. The initial projection was $5.6 billion, with a $7.2 billion revision.

Local TV & radio

KSL-TV (Ch. 5) will provide Olympic coverage during these times today:

12:30-4 p.m., 7-11 p.m., 11:35 p.m.-1 a.m. and 1-5 a.m.

For updated Olympic coverage, tune to KSL Newsradio 1160 AM at 16 minutes past the hour throughout the Games, and to an hour of coverage weeknights at 9.

Quote of the day

"I don't even know what to say right now. I'm so happy and excited. You dream about this your whole life. Then you win the gold medal, and it's just amazing." — Carly Patterson, all-around gymnastics champion

Looking ahead

The U.S. men's basketball team faces Lithuania (live) and the water polo team faces Russia (live) on Ch. 5 in its 10 a.m.-5 p.m. bloc Saturday.