AKRON-The world of sports returned somewhat to normal a week after the Sept. 11 hijackings. It did so, however, without one of its most recognizable figures.
As of press time, Goodyear still did not have clearance for its three blimps i9n North America to resume flight. The airships-two in Akron, one in California-sat in hangars, awaiting the OK from the Federal Aviation Administration.
``We continue to monitor the situation on a day-to-day basis,'' a spokeswoman for the Goodyear airship fleet told Tire Business. ``I haven't heard an update.''
The blimps have been on the ground since returning from sporting events on the weekend of Sept. 7-8.
Once they return, Goodyear plans to use the dirigibles' giant message boards to convey messages related to relief efforts.