During the Olympic opening ceremonies Friday night, Bob Costas almost expressed his opinion about the refusal to hold a moment of silence for the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed at the 1972 Olympic Games.

Earlier in the month, Costas had said it was it was insensitive that the International Olympic Committee denied the request for a moment of silence. Costas implied that he would hold his own moment of silence — but he didn't go that far during the actual ceremony.

Instead, he got a little passive-aggressive, lightly suggesting that the smaller moment of silence led by IOC president Jacques Rogge was insufficient.

Still, for many, tonight with the world watching is the true time and place to remember those who were lost and how and why they died.

Rogge's moment of silence was held in front of only about 100 people at the Athlete's Village.

Back when Costas first called the IOC's decision insensitive, executive producer of NBC's telecast Jim Bell said that Costas had not discussed his feelings before then. Presumably Costas and his bosses did have a sit-down before the opening ceremonies, which might explain the announcer's muted (but still notable) commentary.

[Image via AP]