Friday, February 8, 2002
Old Glory promises powerful opening
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
SALT LAKE CITY -- It will open with a moment that promises to be every bit as stirring as Muhammad Ali's Olympic cauldron lighting in Atlanta.
How it will close is still shrouded in secrecy.
In between will be a mish-mash of artistic segments, musical acts, dancing, flag-waving, the parade of athletes and the typically boring IOC protocol.
But when the 19th Winter Olympics is officially opened tonight, it will be an emotional entrance by the tattered stars and stripes of Old Glory that will provide the enduring image of these Games.
"It will be enormously emotional for those in the audience and those watching on TV," Mitt Romney, Salt Lake Organizing Committee president and CEO, said of the World Trade Center flag that will be carried into Rice-Eccles Stadium tonight.
"It's not just another Hollywood minute -- we wanted to bring real meaning into the ceremonies. We had a white sheet brought in representing the World Trade Center flag (during Wednesday night's dress rehearsal), and as I stood pretending to be the president I was choked with emotion. I can only imagine how powerful it will be when the actual flag is carried in."
Recovered in the rubble three days after Sept. 11, the 12-ft. by 8-ft. flag arrived in Salt Lake City Wednesday, courtesy of two Port Authority officials. Eight American athletes were selected yesterday to carry it into the stadium alongside an honour guard of police and firefighters, including luger Mark Grimmette.
"That particular flag doesn't only represent the United States, it represents all the victims that were in the World Trade Center," Grimmette said, pointing out 77 countries will take part in the Olympics while people from 80 countries died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
"It's part of each and every American now and the significance of having it brought in will be pretty powerful for everyone -- it should be there," added speed skater Amy Peterson, who will lead the American parade of athletes.
Others in the honour guard are Kristina Sabasteanski, a biathlete who serves in the military; skeleton racer Lea Ann Parsley, who is a firefighter; curler Stacy Liapis; speed skater Derek Parra; figure skater Todd Eldridge; hockey player Angela Ruggerio; and snowboarder Chris Klug, who had a recent liver transplant.
Although the storied flag was previously flown at Yankee Stadium for the World Series and was featured at the Super Bowl, the tattered banner that's missing 12 stars is in no condition to be hoisted and flown.
Instead, it will be carried in past President George W. Bush for the opening anthem sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and taken out when ceremonies producer Don Mischer sees fit.
"We'll take our cue from the audience," said Mischer. "We don't know what that moment is going to produce. There could be silence, there could be an applause."
Although fiercely protective of the mystery man, woman or group that will light the Olympic cauldron tonight, organizers unveiled several details of the 135-minute opening yesterday. Despite repeated questions at a press conference, officials would not comment on the final torch-bearer many believe will be made up of the 1980 gold-medal-winning U.S. hockey team.
"It is a human being," laughed Romney, proud to announce all 50,000 tickets had been sold at $885 US a pop.
"We're trying to protect the element of surprise," added Mischer, one of only three people privy to the torch-bearer's name.
"In Atlanta only six or seven people knew Muhammad Ali would be the last holder of the flame. I believe if people had known that beforehand it would have taken away from the impact it had."
The entire cast for the show is made up of Utahns and will feature the music of Robbie Robertson, among others. While officials are concerned about high winds that could alter the program, there's little concern any potential terrorist attack could elude the tight security that envelopes every venue.
"Worried? You're asking a guy who took about an hour to get two blocks and through four security checks," shrugged Jim Shea Jr., a third-generation American Olympian who was selected to take the Olympic oath as his grandfather did in Lake Placid 70 years ago.
"I've never felt safer in my life."
Or prouder.
2002 Games News Coverage
