But as this book indicates, the game has always been subject to changing fortunes.
In fact, Amazon tells me that the incoming data indicates the game is being pre-ordered at such a pace that it has overtaken other big media items, including Halo: Reach and Red Dead Redemption.
"'We have received no information indicating the Games are in any way being targeted," said Darryl Seibel, spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee.
Recent precedents indicate the Games have been, for the most part, a dismally ineffective way of bringing long-term benefits to the wider public.
PAGE A9 Another Problem for Athens Greek Olympic officials have decided against putting a roof over the swimming pool, a move some see as indicating the Games will be affected by construction delays.
There is plenty of evidence to back this conclusion, but there are important elements that indicate the game is not over yet.
Television replays showed that the red light went on before he released the shot, indicating the game was over, but the referees did not call it and the game went to overtime.
The writer of the letter seemed to assume readers knew what he was talking about, indicating the game was "not a revolutionary new product" in 1823, Mr. Thorn, the editor of "Total Baseball," said.
Last Sunday's crowd was a patchwork of Minnesota Viking purple, San Francisco 49er red and Cincinnati Bengal orange, as clusters of fans gathered before TVs hung with signs indicating the game showing.
The company, known for "Tearaway" and "Little Big Planet," indicated the game would emphasize motion controls, and it looked to be a surreal experience in which an old man – or was it an old dog? – could be seen playing the piano.
