Olympic splendour amazes papers

The spectacular opening ceremony of the Olympics in Athens wows the papers but shame and disgrace linger in the background.

"A dazzling extravaganza," says the Daily Star, with the Daily Express praising "a voyage of nostalgia and technical wizardry".

The Daily Telegraph says national pride swept through the magnificent arena and for the Times, the event was a "triumph in its own right".

The Daily Mail says it was the end "months of anguish" over facilities.

But the failure of two Greek athletes to take a routine drugs test is a "crushing blow" to Greek sporting pride, the Independent says.

"It is impossible not to feel sorry for the people of Greece," says the Mail, adding that they had been left in tears of "humiliation and shock".

The Sun described him as the most hated figure in Greece.

For the Guardian, "Olympic spirit is already broken" for the hosts and the credibility of the Olympics in doubt.

"Lucky Jim" is the headline for the Daily Mirror's report on the kidnap and release of the British journalist, James Brandon, in Basra.

The Mail believes the freelance reporter had a "narrow escape".

The Guardian says the episode highlights the perils of working in "arguably the most dangerous country in the world".

The role of cleric Moqtada Sadr in securing Mr Brandon's release is a "publicity coup", the Times says.

Albert Finney is apparently in line to play the lead role in the first film about the disgraced newspaper tycoon, Robert Maxwell.

The Independent says it will be a nod to Citizen Kane, another inquiry into wealth, power and ambition.

The screenplay is close to completion and the film could go into production early next year.

It will portray Maxwell as a spy for the Israeli secret service, Mossad, killed by his erstwhile employers.