Friday, February 15, 2002

Time to snooze, with no booze

By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
 SALT LAKE CITY -- The liquor laws in the State of Utah never cease to amaze.

 The latest chapter in the city where it's tough to get a drink comes from the Red Rock bar, conveniently located beside the Main Media Center and has become a favourite hangout for your favourite Sun reporters.

 While the Rock does a solid job of brewing its own ales -- Honey Wheat is this scribe's favourite -- not everybody drinks beer and it seems like Utahans frown on anybody who likes a good, stiff drink.

 Trying to get a Captain Morgan's and Coke (yes, this is a free ad for both companies), colleague Eric Francis from Calgary was told he'd have to go sit in another section of the bar if he wanted "hard liquor."

 "We're only licensed for beer on this side of the bar," said lovely waitress Liz. "If you wanted a mixed drink you're going to have to go sit on the other side, but right now there aren't any tables available."

 It should also be noted it's possible to get a lot of sleep during these Games -- with the exception of when radio stations call at 5:20 a.m. -- because last call for alcohol is 1 a.m. and it's hard to stay out late. I'm not complaining, just pointing out a fact.

 STANDING ON THE PODIUM:

 After Canadian captain Mario Lemieux held a press conference Wednesday, a European journalist asked him to sign his notepad. In case you weren't aware, that's an absolute no-no ... Just saw NBC announcer Bob Costas making his way through the MMC, surrounded by a group of security guards. "They're all taller than him,"said Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Rosenbloom. No kidding, Costas might look big on TV, but the guy's a shrimp. My guess is he's 5-foot-4. It should be noted host Pat O'Brien walked by earlier with no guards and speaking into a cellphone ... Canadian men's hockey associate coaches Ken Hitchcock and Jacques Martin are rooming together in the Olympic Village for the next 10 days. "I told Jacques he's sleeping on the top bunk and he'd better not snore. If he snores he's going to be the only guy from Ottawa who finds himself sleeping in a snowbank because I'm not going to put up with it," said Hitchcock, with a laugh ... Note to boss: Sending out more laundry today. Please be prepared to pay bill.

 THE MEDAL PLAZA:

 The story of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier has been front-page news everywhere but in the Salt Lake papers. Go figure ... The Barenaked Ladies were a hit at the Medal Plaza Wednesday. Lead guitarist Ed Robertson sent the crowd into hysterics when he stripped down to one of those fancy speed skating outfits being worn by Catriona Le May Doan ... Athletes haven't been having any problems finding the hotspots in the city. Forty-seven registered at the front door of a club called The Last Lap on Tuesday because they get free admission. Members of the Slovak hockey team were spotted in one of the corners. Better keep those U.S. boys out of there ... Two Swiss hockey players sent home by their team didn't get back to the Athletes Village until 7 a.m. Could somebody please let me know where they went until then? ... Gotta go, Office Depot is handing out free bags in the lobby.

2002 Games News Coverage