LONDON (AP) — The mother of fencing star Mariel Zagunis pushed up her flight and frantically packed her bags to make sure she gets to London in time.

After all, it's not every day her daughter leads the U.S. team in the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

So Cathy Zagunis threw her things together Thursday at her home near Portland, Ore., overwhelmed with emotion and intent on getting to Olympic Stadium to see her two-time gold medalist daughter serve as flag-bearer.

The moment will be far more somber for the Israeli delegation. This is a time of remembrance — the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Olympics when 11 Israeli athletes and coaches were killed in Munich.

The IOC would not allow a moment of silence at the ceremony. NBC Sports broadcaster Bob Costas, however, plans an on-air minute of silence of his own.