Rain, rumors, questions as Olympic opening nears

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The XXI Olympic Winter Games begin today, and that’s about the only thing certain about them.

The star is hurting, and there’s more snow in Manhattan than on some of the mountains here.

Oh, and there could be two Olympic flames.

Back in Canada for the first time since 1988 in Calgary, the games open with the Olympics’ first-ever indoor opening ceremony.

Organizers have kept a tight lid on details, and that’s fitting for an Olympics full of questions: Will the potential headline act, American skier Lindsey Vonn, overcome a shin injury and vie for multiple medals? Will the snowboard/freestyle skiing venue — already needing emergency snow imports — survive the latest bout of inclement weather? Will Canada’s home team thrive or wilt under the pressure of its bold ambition to dominate the games?