thanks, zain verjee. zain verjee reporting live for us from london. >>> it is exhausting on the campaign trail, especially if you're jet-lagged. whatever it was, mitt romney's press secretary snapped and cursed at journalists in poland as reporters shouted questions to a candidate who did not want to answer them. >> governor romney! >> can you discuss some of the mishaps on your trips? >> governor romney, do you have a statement for the palestinians? >> what about your gaffes? >> do you feel that your gaffes have overshadowed your foreign trip? >> this is a holy sight to the polish people. show some respect. show some respect, jim. >> we haven't had a chance to ask him some questions. >> [ bleep ]. this is a holy sight. >> in case you missed it, he said kiss my -- and then he said the "a" word. jim, this happened at the poland tomb of the unknown soldier. why the vitriol? >> reporter: well, and i should caution the viewers that did not exactly happen at the tomb of the unknown soldier here in warsaw. we w

zain verjee is in london to explain. morning, zain. >> good morning. a lot of jabs and punches kicked around here in london. but this is over a woman who is supposed to compete in judo on friday. now, she really, really wants to do it, but here are the problems. saudi arabia is saying that the only reason they allowed her in the first place to come to london and compete was so that she could continue wearing the hijab, the head scarf, in accordance with shereea law. the international olympic committee said please let the athletes come, and they can absolutely wear the hijab. they're saying it's too dangerous if she competes wearing a head scarf because that could create a problem and an injury situation for her. her dad has weighed in on this, too, saying her daughter will not compete in the judo games on august 3rd if the committee insists she remove her hijab. so this is a situation of sports meets miscommunication meets culture meets islamic law here in london. >> other olympic sports allow participants to wear head scarves, don't they? >> so far, i

once again, zain verjee, no pressure for phelps, right? >> no, it's just an easy, breezy thing. just a few hours back there in aquatics centre. a name you'll hear a lot today, she is a former soviet gymnast and she actually holds the world record for the most olympics ever. she had it for 48 years and has 18 medals. now, michael phelps has 17 and competing in two events today. he could either tie and get one medal or break that record and just make the history books, again. so, all eyes are on phelps to see how he does. he has not been performing as well as anyone expected he would, but today is a really big day for him. >> all right, well, speaking of swimming. tell us more about this 16-year-old chinese swimming sensation. i already love her name. ye shiwen. i already love her name, it's perfect. >> a lot of the focus is on her today. she is an amazing swimmer. only 16 years old. now, the focus is actually because of what happened on saturday. she won the 400 meter individual medley and she smashed her own record by more than five seconds and, get this, kyra, she also, if you

zain verjee is in london to explain. >> zogood morning, zain. >> reporter: good morning. the message from london is the army is in charge, it's okay, the games will be safe and secure. there was a private security company that was supposed to handle all the security and they totally messed up. they said it was a logistical ghtmare and they were not able to deliver the numbers they promised for the games. here is what happened. the army has been drafted in. today the uk had said this. take a look at them. they said they're going to deploy an extra 1,200 troops. carol, that is on top of the 3,500 they have already drafted. so the main thing is now you've got the defense forces and the military beefing up the metropolitan police so you have a number of 18,200 security out on the streets of london. they are saying that they want these games to be successful and the message to the public, to the fans, to the heads of states, to all the celebrities that are here, to the athletes, to kings and queens that are here to enjoy the games, that you will be safe. the policy is no risk.

zain verjee is joining us live. what prompted the latest move? >> reporter: basically the security company g4s totally messed up. they said they could deliver the numbers and at the last hour they said, oops, sorry, british government, we're not able to deld deliver there. there was a massive panic. what the government decided to do was draft in the military. they've added today 1,200 extra troops above the 3,500 they had drafted to cover the shortfall. with the defense beefing up the metropolitan police, you have 18,200 troops to deal with security and the olympics. the british government is saying we're just going to take a no-risk approach and bring in the military and the message from london today is the army is in charge of security for the olympics. >> and what's the reaction, you know, to all the troops being at the venues? >> reporter: you know, kyra, from people i have talked to and a lot of the interview that is you listen to and read about, people are actually okay with that. they think that the military can handle it okay. they feel s

zain verjee is joining us right outside of the olympic venue there, and zain, missy like so many americans expressing how much her heart hurts for what happened in the shooting, but at the same time, is it any way a distraction to her or any of the other swim team members as they focus on the races? >> it would definitely be on her mind because it was such a globally horrify iing story, an it is something that the members of the swim team and the u.s. would have on their minds, but what they are trying to do right now, fred, is to just focus themselves, because this is about winning. it is about the spirit of the olympics as well. they want to make sure that they are focused. now, you know the answer to this question, fred, which american athlete has won the most gold medals ever in the history of the olympics -- >> so far michael phelps who will hopefully repeat some more. okay. >> all right. well done. i was worried there, but well done. he got eight in beijing, and just a short while ago he was right behind me there at the aquatic center and what he basically said was that he was really

zain verjee, how did you find this out, zain? >> well, there's a hash tag called save the surprise. and the british government didn't want anyone who saw the rehearsals to say anything about it, but of course the whole thing has been leaked. so if you want a big surprise to watch at the opening ceremony on friday, don't watch any longer. but if you want to get a little nugget as to what are the exciting things they have planned, listen to this. william shakespeare's "the tempest" is actually going to be the theme. you know, carol, remember it's about a castaways, about a theme of wonderment and the idea of wonder on this island. and so that's basically this fantastical idea they want to go for. so you're going to have alice in wonderland. you're going to have a big showdown between harry potter and lord voldemort. peter pan as well. then of course there will be bond, james bond, 007 will parachute down into the stadium apparently. so that's just a little bit of the flavor. now the only thing that we don't know is who is going to carry the flame into the stadium. that they have manag

zain verjee is in london to explain. >> zogood morning, zain. >> reporter: good morning. the message from london is the army is in charge, it's okay, the games will be safe and secure. there was a private security company that was supposed to handle all the security and they totally messed up. they said it was a logistical nightmare and they were not able to deliver the numbers they promised for the games. here is what happened. the army has been drafted in. today the uk had said this. take a look at them. they said they're going to deploy an extra 1,200 troops. carol, that is on top of the 3,500 they have already drafted. so the main thing is now you've got the defense forces and the military beefing up the metropolitan police so you have a number of 18,200 security out on the streets of london. they are saying that they want these games to be successful and the message to the public, to the fans, to the heads of states, to all the celebrities that are here, to the athletes, to kings and queens that are here to enjoy the games, that you will be safe. the policy is no ris

and i don't have me any tickets. >> oh, yes, you do. >> no. >> but then you show up and zain verjee, of course, come on in. >> so the tickets are going for about $2,000 or $3,000 right now, okay. if you are desperate to get into the olympic ceremonies. >> ouch. >> that is what they are going for. and danny boyle is the one who is the award winning director has put together this amazing performance that is going to happen in less than three hours behind me. now, he is really known for movies about zombies and drug addicts, right, but we won't see either one in this performance and what he is doing is to focus on the theme of "tempest" here by william shakespeare, and the one is magical wonderfulment, and fantastical, and we will see many things combined behind me in awe if ur hos. >> and some things were difficult to keep under wraps because in dress rehearsal they had people outside who had to be corralled before going in and we saw sneak peeks of farm animals and women in, you know, nursing gear. and we hear a rumor that james bond must, 007 must make the appearance in some fashion,

zain verjee is live at olympic park. good morning. >> let's get this party started, christine. we're only about less than seven hours away. and we don't want it to be sham bollic. everyone is hoping it will be absolutely wonderful, spectacular, epic. let me just give you a sense of what it's going to be like. we're going to be looking at a ceremony that will divide britain, britain's past, its present, and its future. you'll see scenes recreated of the idealic old britain, plowing of the fields and farmers. there will be 70 live sheep, 12 horses, nine chickens, and eight geese. no partridge in a pear tree. that's just to recreate one era. they will also recreate the industrial era with steel workers, and then suddenly you'll see the five olympic rings come up, and it's going to be set on fire. also, 007. they are practicing the music of james bond right behind me just seconds ago. apparently according to reports, daniel craig is going to head off to buckingham palace, and the queen is going to send him on an important mission which is going to be open the olympic games, go over

let's bring in zain verjee. really? they chanted monica? >> yes, really. monica lewinsky instead of saying hillary, hillary, hillary, it was monica, monica, monica, monica. this was a moment where protesters gathered outside the u.s. consulate the secretary was opening in alexandria. egypt expressing their anger. basically they are mad because they think that the u.s. is taking sides and trying to influence the outcome of egyptian politics. yes, they threw tomatoes. shoes which is really a sign of disrespect in that region. so that's -- that's the significance throwing something like that at the motorcade. the thing is the motorcade is -- she was actually in, the car was around the corner. what happened was officials came outside after street ceremony and they only managed to pelt one egyptian official in the face. but nonetheless, you know, a significant point to know and underscore the u.s. not popular in egypt today. >> you covered the state department and hillary clinton for many years. i just wondered what do you think -- the hillary clinton even care

let's get to zain verjee. last night the u.s. men's swim team had a lead and then didn't really the 4x100. what happened? >> reporter: yeah, yeah. it was a total disaster. the u.s. team was so shocked and basically say iing why? because the french team took their revenge team because france lost to the u.s. in 2008 but the u.s. was winning the whole time and then ryan lochte was swimming the final leg and in the last 50 meters or so was, boom, overtaken by the french who then touched the wall first to win. really disappointing for the u.s. team. and ryan lochte wasn't even supposed to be in the relay and then they put him in last minute and changed the eam. so there are a lot of questions about why and what happened. >> what do you think is the thing to focus on today? what would you be watching today? >> reporter: today ryan lochte again in the pool. the aquatics centre is behind me. michael phelps will swim the 200-meter semifinal for butterfly. soledad, that's his thing. he has -- he's going to be defending his title for that.

let's get to zain verjee. last night the u.s. men's swim team had a lead and then didn't really the 4x100. what happened? >> reporter: yeah, yeah. it was a total disaster. the u.s. team was so shocked and basically say iing why? because the french team took their revenge team because france lost to the u.s. in 2008 but the u.s. was winning the whole time and then ryan lochte was swimming the final leg and in the last 50 meters or so was, boom, overtaken by the french who then touched the wall first to win. really disappointing for the u.s. team. and ryan lochte wasn't even supposed to be in the relay and then they put him in last minute and changed the team. so there are a lot of questions about why and what happened. >> what do you think is the thing to focus on today? what would you be watching today? >> reporter: today ryan lochte again in the pool. the aquatics centre is behind me. michael phelps will swim the 200-meter semifinal for butterfly. soledad, that's his thing. he has -- he's going to be defending his title for that

zain verjee, thanks so much. >>> one of the biggest tape delay controversies we've ever seen. nbc is getting slammed for delaying olympic coverage to get a bigger audience. it was this promo that got so many people talking. >> when you're 17 years old and win your first goad medal, there's no one we'd rather share it with. we were there when missy franklin and her parents reunite. live from london, tomorrow. >> here's the deal, that promo played six minutes before nbc aired her gold medal swim. then there is the internet, twitter, facebook, real-time beating out the fight for ratings. lori has been following all of this. there seems to be a big disconnect between network tv, what it wants to achieve and then the worldwide web and how quickly things happen. >> well, kyra, i certainly don't think that they can ignore the growing presence of social media and what this has really done, the first time we've really seen that impact in just how much it affects how you experience the games. now, people may hate the spoilers, but not actually affecting ratings. people may know the outc

let's move on the piers morgan and zain verjee and you are right at the olympic park, right? oh, there it is, the stadium behind you. are the people as excited and the electricity moving through the area there like the fan zone, piers? >> can't you tell by any expressions this is the most exciting thing of all time? >> yes, i am happy to see it. >> i don't know what mitt romney has to say about this, but we are having a blast here, and more reserved here in great britain. well, actually it is a great time and building suspense with four hour h ss away from the opg ceremo ceremony, and it will be extraordinary, paul mccartney, the queen, david beckham, and michelle obama, and farm animals and recreating an english countryside scene with cows and sheep and chickens and if that is not british, nevermind beijing, that is what it is about, farm animals and david beckham. >> well, sheep, and cows and geese -- >> fantastic, and the best headline so far is the zun "su " "is becks and, beatles and the queen and baked beans. this is the affectionate term for her majesty. and so we will

let's move on the piers morgan and zain verjee and you are right at the olympic park, right? oh, there it is, the stadium behind you. are the people as excited and the electricity moving through the area there like the fan zone, piers? >> can't you tell by any expressions this is the most exciting thing of all time? >> yes, i am happy to see it. >> i don't know what mitt romney has to say about this, but we are having a blast here, and more reserved here in great britain. well, actually it is a great time and building suspense with four hour h ss away from the opg ceremo ceremony, and it will be extraordinary, paul mccartney, the queen, david beckham, and michelle obama, and farm animals and recreating an english countryside scene with cows and sheep and chickens and if that is not british, nevermind beijing, that is what it is about, farm animals and david beckham. >> well, sheep, and cows and geese -- >> fantastic, and the best headline so far is the zun "su " "is becks and, beatles and the queen and bed beans. this is the affectionate term for her majesty. and so we will h

zain verjee is live in london. i know that you're going to spill some secrets about the opening ceremonies. so we're ready. >> reporter: good morning to you, carol. let's just get this party started, ok? just a few hours away. we want the suits to come off and the lycra to come on. let me tell you a little bit about what i know with the olympic ceremony. just a few secretaonds ago, the were practicing "chariots of fire." that's obviously going to be in the production. but there are some really cool things. what they are trying to do is to show britain past, present, and future. so they are going to go through different eras, like the victori victorian era, the industrial era, to the present. we'll see mary poppins floating down into the stadium. we'll see a big olympic rings come up from the ground and light on a dramatic fire. 007, james bond, has a big role in this too. apparently according to reports, daniel craig is going to stop over at buckingham palace, meet the queen, who will dispatch him on a special miss

zain verjee is joining us from london. why are they doing this thing? >> basically, there was a mess-up, carol, by a private security company that was supposed to deliver

zain verjee is live in london. i know that you're going to spill some secrets about the opening ceremonies. so we're ready. >> reporter: good morning to you, carol. let's just get this party started, ok? just a few hours away. we want the suits to come off and the lycra to come on. let me tell you a little bit about what i know with the olympic ceremony. just a few secretaonds ago, the were practicing "chariots of fire." that's obviously going to be in the production. but there are some really cool things. what they are trying to do is to show britain past, present, and future. so they are going to go through different eras, like the victori victorian era, the industrial era, to the present. we'll see mary poppins floating down into the stadium. we'll see a big olympic rings come up from the ground and light on a dramatic fire. 007, james bond, has a big role in this too. apparently according to reports, daniel craig is going to stop over at buckingham palace, meet the quen, who will dispatch him on a special missi