COUNTDOWN TO OLYMPICS

* Days until opening ceremony: 13.

* Olympic update: A World Health Organization official warned that Sydney could be a prime target for an outbreak of influenza during the Games, in large part because of Olympic crowds spreading flu.

* March to the medals: Seattle SuperSonic Coach Paul Westphal flew to Honolulu to meet with U.S. Olympic basketball teammates Vin Baker and Gary Payton, who were upset over last week’s failed four-team trade.

* Carrying the torch: Traveled from Dubbo to Bathurst, where it was placed in a miner’s lamp for a two-lap run around a motor speedway in a race car.

* Olympic footnote: The Olympic athletes’ village, where most of the 10,200 athletes and coaches will be staying, officially opened today.