COUNTDOWN TO OLYMPICS

* Days until opening ceremony: 18.

* Olympic update: Tests for the banned performance-enhancing drug EPO cleared a major hurdle when they were endorsed for use at the Sydney Games by International Olympic Committee legal experts.

* March to the medals: Yolanda Griffith had 23 points and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield added 17 as the U.S. women’s basketball team defeated Canada, 90-51, to sweep a three-game series.

* Carrying the torch: Hundreds of boats joined the torch for its trip around Lake Macquarie as part of the route from Newcastle to Gosford, north of Sydney near the Pacific coast.

* Olympic footnote: Reigning Olympic 800-meter champion Vebjorn Rodal will carry Norway’s flag in the opening ceremony for the Sydney Games.