[Publius6961]

Although I consider having that flag as a gesture of the solidarity of humanity a nice gesture, I can understand the reluctance to include "national" symbols with an obvious secondary meaning.
It has always been thus with the concept of the Olympics; It has always bothered me somewhat, but I can accept the concept.

Which raises an interesting point in my mind: Who chooses and provides the flags used during the Olympics?
(Opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies and awarding of medals?)

[codebreaker]

A flag that flew over the WTC is not a distraction during the ceremony to the idiotic 'Olymipic Spirit'.

It is the personification of the worlds activities going on unchanged and spitting in the face of the terror.

[oldvike]

Which raises an interesting point in my mind: Who chooses and provides the flags used during the Olympics?

The IOC probably provides us US flags that have tiny little UN flags embroidered on them.