Opening Ceremonies thoughts - Freestyle wrestlers    54 kg - Sammie Henson - "It was great. I had a good time. I got to meet all kinds of people. I met the tennis players - Serena, Venus, Monica and Lindsay. It was cool and I am psyched."    58 kg - Terry Brands - "They did an outstanding job. I didn't get to see the beginning, but the part where we were on the field and they brought in the flame was awesome. It felt like I thought it might, but when I was out there I still got those chills. I saw the guy shoot the flame in Barcelona, and I decided that there was no way I was going to miss doing this. I didn't get to do this at last Olympics, so it has been a long time waiting. To think, that was the same flame as was at the other Olympic Games. I thought it was a superior job."    63 kg - Cary Kolat - "It was amazing, a wild and exciting time. Being there brought it all into perspective. It was what I expected, but it was still a lot of fun."    69 kg - Lincoln McIlravy - " It was nice. I watched it on TV before, but it was special to be there. Being in the stadium, with 110,000 people, all who were excited to be there. Nothing goes on but the opening of the Games. It verifies how important the Games are, and how much it means to society. It was fun. Your feet hurt from standing for four hours, but it was something you don't want to miss. It brought about a lot of pride for all your years of effort. We were among 10,000 athletes - each of them started with a dream, and to be with them, sharing the same goals and dreams, was unique."    76 kg - Brandon Slay - "I realized this was the most people that I'd ever be in front of in my life. It was a symbol of the whole world coming together. With 200 nations there, it engulfed all the athletes and the people in the stands. The flags, the fireworks, the torch being lit, it is something that we will never forget."    85 kg - Charles Burton - "It was amazing to walk into the stadium and see over 100,000 people there. It fills you up with a sense of pride. It made me realize it was time to get ready to go. Watching her light the torch and flame symbolized to me that it was time to compete. I had this swelling up inside with American pride. It was an emotional response."    97 kg - Melvin Douglas - "I thought it was great. I was right up front. I took that opportunity. To walk in the front of the group, leading the greatest nation in the world was a great experience. It is hard to compare to the last Games. In Atlanta, they did a great job, but they also did a great job here. We didn't get to see the festivities. When we walked out there, and saw the stadium filled to the brim, it was what we came here for, to be participants in the world's greatest event. I was proud to be one of the 604 athletes from the United States."    130 kg - Kerry McCoy - "It was great, one of the best things I've participated in my life. I'm glad I got the opportunity. It got me pumped up for the competition. I got a glimpse of why people say it's just important to be there. Being there last night was just incredible."