SEAN M. HAFFEY / Union-Tribune

What's Inside It's cheeky and cheesy ... just like the main story On the air / local events San Diegans fall in Crocs beach volleyball Panthers' Smith suspended 2 games Sports letters 'Skins hog stage for Hall induction Glamorous 'Boys perfect for 'Knocks' X games More Sports

BEIJING – A host nation of 1.3 billion people. A city of 17.4 million. Ten thousand athletes. Two hundred countries. Thirty sports. Seventeen days. But if there's an underlying theme to the XXIX Summer Olympics, which officially open Friday in Beijing, it is a much smaller number: One.

DeJuan Tribble swooped in quickly and cleanly, reached around the receiver and knocked the ball away during a one-on-one drill during practice this week. The rookie cornerback showed good form, played the ball well and probably felt pretty good about himself . . . for a second-and-a-half.

• Postcard from Chargers training camp
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The short answer is that there are no short answers. The Padres are all about process and infrastructure now, and they are no more likely to make a big splash than is a malnourished minnow. They are counting on your confidence in lieu of blockbuster deals. They are depending on your patience and your tolerance and your cash.