[Utah Girl]

First comes the United States against Canada in a tantalizing hockey final. Then it's Kristi Yamaguchi skating on a frozen stage while KISS bangs out nostalgic heavy metal.

What a way to turn off the torch!

"This is a party for the athletes and the world that could only happen at the Olympics," closing ceremony producer Don Mischer said Saturday.

Is he talking about the sendoff celebration or the hockey game? The Salt Lake City Olympics wrap up in style Sunday, capping 17 days of grand athletic moments and grand judging disputes with an exciting showdown in a showcase sport...

Organizers promise an extravaganza, and they've got enough performers and fireworks to back it up.

The 2,500 athletes will march in with whomever they like, rather than by nations as they do at the opening ceremony. 'N Sync will sing the national anthem, setting the tone for a glorious going-away party.

"The opening is more ceremonial, more dignified, more stately," Mischer said. "The closing is more of a celebration. There will be a lot more fun things that we put out on the ice."

Get ready to see Yamaguchi doing toe loops and salchows to the strains of facepaint-and-fire supergroup KISS. Dorothy Hamill will skate while Harry Connick Jr. sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Other performers include Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, Gloria Estefan and broadway dancer Savion Glover. The musical mix includes jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, rock-and-roll and American standards.

"We want to entertain the athletes," Mischer said. "We're directing the show toward them, but it will also be a party to entertain the world."

[Utah Girl]

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[GraniteStateConservative]

I thought Cheney was going to be a part of it, too.

[Libertina]

Thanks Utah Girl for posting a great article. I was amazed by the opening ceremonies - the heartwrenching scenes of the Twin Towers flag being carried in, the historical review of the US move westward in song and dance - so moving. And the athletes from other countries who also carried American flags out of sympathy? unity? with what happened to us gave me hope for a better world. Though I didn't agree with forcing race into the games with "the first African American to...," I was touched my Miss Flowers' pride and patriotism while on the medals podium. I was engaged by charismatic stars Apolo Anton Ohno, Sasha Cohen and Sara Hughes, and outraged by judging scandals. The stories of atjhletes coming alone to represent their people was also inspiring.

While I did not watch it all, what I did see of the Olympics was impressive. 3 Cheers for a job well done.

[Timeout]

I just went and read you opening...wow! nice job! Are you a writer? If not, you should be. Finally, my heartiest congratulations to SLC...every sports column I've read has had nothing but praise for Utah and its people. Just amazing!

Y'all this Dateline special is awesome!

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the Olympic threads. I guess you have to love athletics to really enjoy the Olympics. The Olympics weren't perfect but nothing is. I especially enjoyed watching Jimmy Shea win his Gold Medal and the Karen Hughes upset in Ladies Ice Skating.
I was awed by the beauty of SLC and the surrounding Rockies, it was a refreshing break from all the dreary news of the Middle East and other parts of the world.
BTW I have an Atlanta Olympic pin that I'll trade you for a SLC Olympic pin!

[Lady In Blue]

It's too bad that they didn't find a few minutes for some Classical music and Opera arias.I would love to see it!

[Grig]

What was the Leann Rimes song they used?