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Heavy Security Marks Opening of Winter Olympic Games
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| National Guard watches
over athletes on ski course |
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Feb. 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The Winter Olympics gets underway Friday with an opening ceremony expected to be high on emotion in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, as a wary United States hosts the world for the first time since that fateful day.
Organizers of the evening spectacular kept a wary eye on the weather, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Salt Lake City organizers sorted out the final details of the role to be played by the evocative flag rescued from New York City's devastated World Trade Center after the deadly attacks in the United States.
The shade of September 11 was also evident in the massive security effort that reached full force as competitors took to the ski slopes, luge track, ski jump hills and skating rinks to train on the eve of the Olympic Games.
"We are pleased by what the American authorities have put in place," IOC President Jacques Rogge said.
Police destroyed a bag "made to look like a device" and found in downtown Salt Lake City, although authorities stressed that it was not an explosive device.
Construction workers spotted the plastic grocery bag with what appeared to be wrapped-up highway flares inside, police Lt. Terry Begay said. "It is a device. We don't know if it's explosive."
The site is about three blocks from the closest Olympic venue, the main media center. Police evacuated two nearby buildings.
Within minutes, military helicopters were hovering over the area, across the street from a park where Olympic celebrations will be held. The FBI and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) were on the scene.
Videotape from a security camera on a nearby building will be checked for clues, Begay said.
Salt Lake Olympic Committee President Mitt Romney continued to fend off inquiries into just who will light the Olympic cauldron on Friday night, as he and opening ceremony executive producer Don Mischer walked the fine line between stirring up interest in the opening extravaganza and giving away the good parts.
"We've only got about three secrets left," Romney said. "We're going to hold on to them for dear life."
While the IOC and SLOC have insisted the biggest international sports event since September 11 can play a healing, unifying role in the world, Romney said that would come about through the passion and emotion of the athletes rather than through a staged tribute.
Therefore, the SLOC is sticking with the same cauldron lighter they first selected in August, rather than choosing someone to reflect September 11.
And the IOC invoked its rule that the Games must remain free from political statements by individual nations to prevent the U.S. delegation from carrying the so-called "Ground Zero" flag in the parade of nations.
Instead the flag will be displayed in the opening ceremony by an honor guard that includes eight U.S. athletes.
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| Bomb squad
investigates suspicious package (behind right pillar) near Olympic venue |
"We have not changed the content of the opening ceremony appreciably since 9/11, but what will happen is that people will respond differently," Romney predicted. "I think things as simple as athletes coming onto the field will be more emotional ... more meaningful."
Rogge, presiding over his first Games since taking over the IOC presidency from Juan Antonio Samaranch in Moscow last July, professed himself satisfied with the plans.
"We are here in the United States of America. We are guests of the United States of America," he said. "It is an homage to the flag. We understand the deep emotion of the American people."
But Romney and Mischer stressed they want a ceremony that will be appreciated by an anticipated global audience of three billion people.
"Everyone sees things differently," Mischer said. "We have to be concerned about not focusing too much on America. We have to emphasize the rest of the world. The world expects an international event."
With the clouds of controversy apparently cleared, organizers were waiting for the real clouds to disperse and deliver picture-postcard vistas of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains.
A storm forecast for Friday morning promised not only snow but, more worryingly for Mischer, gusting winds.
"We're keeping an eye on it," he said, adding that snow would pose no problem but that very high winds would force planners to abandon some large scenic elements in the ceremony or some planned fireworks.
"If we do have high winds, the show will be just as spectacular, people won't know what they're missing," Mischer promised.
In keeping with SLOC's theme "Light the fire within," the narrative of the ceremony will focus on the Child of Light, representative of humankind overcoming adversity to pass the light to others in the world.
The performers in the eclectic ceremony range from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the Dixie Chicks country music trio.
Country singer LeAnn Rimes is another nod to Utah's ranching roots, while British pop star Sting and acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring an international flavor to the entertainment.
A pre-ceremony starts at 6 p.m., with the main ceremony to begin an hour later. But the Games actually take off earlier on Friday with qualification rounds for the normal hill ski jumping that will narrow the field to 50.
Among those pre-qualified by virtue of their World Cup standings, German Sven Hannawald produced the longest jump from the normal hill in training at Park City.
Likewise Austrian downhill favorite Stephan Eberharter dominated training at the Grizzly downhill in Snowbasin.
Eberharter, who has already locked up the World Cup title with five victories this season, was fastest down, ahead of compatriot Fritz Strobl.
The men's downhill, the blue ribbon event of the Winter Games, is one of four medals on offer Saturday, when the women's 15km cross-country will open the rush for gold. Medals will also be up for grabs Saturday in the men's 30km cross-country and the men's 5,000m
speedskating.
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