Organizers postponed two baseball games — the United States vs. the Dominican Republic and Brazil against Nicaragua — after a power outage at the new venue. Lighting problems did not affect the earlier games between Panama and Cuba, and Venezuela against Mexico.

It was not the way the Brazilians wanted to begin the biggest sporting event they have ever hosted, particularly since they are seeking to stage the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

ESPN Brazil reported problems at another new venue, the Rio Multisport Arena, that led to the delay of television coverage of the men's team gymnastics competition today. But much of the event wound up on TV.

Basketball also is scheduled for that site, later in the games.

The U.S. baseball team of college players has not played since July 8 and was eager to get started. The postponement left them scrambling for a practice facility, and they hadn't yet been told when the rescheduled game would take place. They are supposed to face Nicaragua tomorrow.

"We still have to play the game, basically whether it's today or Tuesday or whenever," team spokesman Niall Adler said. "It's always been kind of a challenge throughout our three-week tour to be able to practice and play."

The opening ceremony was accompanied by a few problems yesterday at the famed Maracana Stadium, but was a spectacular show. Security was so strict that many fans couldn't get to the newly renovated stadium in time. The ceremony began late with many seats empty, and hundreds of would-be participants stuck in lines stretching for blocks outside, waiting to pass through metal detectors and inspection.

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was booed every time his name was mentioned and he did not give the scheduled speech to officially open the games. He was hastily replaced by Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

The ceremony was preceeded by issues with transportation and infrastructure at other venues.

Traffic jams on the streets and difficulties buying food and finding bathrooms inside the venues prompted a group of about 100 fans to protest yesterday.

"We want to eat! We want to eat!" they chanted at the Riocentro complex after the handball match between Brazil and Mexico. The concession stands available to the public were all closed, forcing fans to try to enter the press area and attempt to get food. They were denied access.

To fix that problem, organizers simply allowed the fans through a security checkpoint and into parts of the media area to get food on today. The fans were lined up 30 deep at one concession stand.