Official Winter Olympics arrive with flurry (Live thread for the Opening Ceremonies)

MSNBC; Vanity ^ | 2/8/2002

[Utah Girl]

The stage is set, the stars have arrived and the scene-stealer - a frail flag symbolizing one nation's recovery and resilience - awaits its worldwide debut...

A SNOWSTORM CANCELED the first Olympic competitions Friday morning, but the Opening Ceremony is set to lift the curtain on the first Winter Games on U.S. soil in more than two decades with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and an awe-inspiring temple...

Welcome to the 2002 Winter Games, a mix of unbridled patriotism, unprecedented security and 17 days of emotional competition in a nation made more vigilant and passionate by terrorism and war.

[Utah Girl]

This is the live thread for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics being held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Enjoy and welcome to Utah!

And many thanks to MSNBC, I swiped the opening from one of their articles (with attribution, of course...)

[Utah Girl]

To find all articles indexed using "Olympics List"
	click here >>>	SL 2002 Olympics	<<< click here
SL 2002 home page...(To view all FR Bump Lists, click here)

[RedBloodedAmerican]

is there going to be a separate live thread for the competitions?

Can we post here even if we think BYU football team stinks? ;)

[Dog]

Don't pick on UG's football team....:-)

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I thought she like the Utes?

[Aquamarine]

Let the Games begin!!!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

liked

[Utah Girl]

The Opening Ceremonies start at 6 pm MT; there is a pre-game special at 5 pm MT. They will be broadcast on NBC. And just so that everyone knows, President Bush is going to officially open the Ceremonies with the following remarks:

"I declare open the Games of Salt Lake City, celebrating the Winter Olympic Games.". This is what the leader of the host country traditionally says (I think to prevent dictators from taking over the ceremonies.)

[wai-ming]

That is a beautiful picture of Salt Lake City!

Looks like the snow is there and the good weather is holding. Hope all goes well for the Games.

The country needs this!

[Utah Girl]

Yes, there will be a separate live thread for the sports competitions, but there aren't any going on this evening, due to the weather and the Opening Ceremonies.

And even if you don't like the BYU football team (my alma mater), you are more than welcome to post your comments...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

So what are we going to talk about for the next few hours? I have some good stories to tell, if you like. Ever hear about where I was born?

[Johnny Shear]

I couldn't care less about the Olympics.

On a side note...This reminds me of what made me a Republican...

Jimmy (IDIOT) Carter boycoting the 1980 Olympics. Then of course, The Ruskies boycotted us 4 years later.

Yeah, I know, this sounds like a goofy way to "Become a Republican" but I was a kid. All I cared about was sports and chicks.

[JennysCool]

'Tis a picture-perfect setting ... Best wishes for a wonderful time from a former Taylorsville kid ...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

No competitions tonight?? It was ALL postponed?? And I will be nice since BYU just missed being National Champs last year (*snicker*) and I felt bad for them.

[Lokibob]

Got my feet up on the desk, tv warmed up, and V.O. Ginger ready, let the GAMES BEGIN!

The storm this morning cleaned out the fog, so the valley is beautiful.

Did you see all the pictures on the MSNBC site? Fantastic layout showing SLC in all its visitor glory. KUDOS to them.

[Shermy]

Someone said your child will be in the opening ceremonies...true? Are you going to watch on TV?

[chainsaw]

A SNOWSTORM CANCELED the first Olympic competitions Friday morning, but the Opening Ceremony is set to lift the curtain on the first Winter Games on U.S. soil in more than two decades with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and an awe-inspiring temple...

How could the first competition be cancelled if the games have not started yet? I may not be the smartest person on FR but, 1 comes before 2, and 2 comes before 3, etc.

[glock rocks]

And even if you don't like the BYU football team (my alma mater), you are more than welcome to post your comments...

no comment.

[Aquamarine]

I think they were qualifying competitions.

[Utah Girl]

Yep. I don't think there was too much competition going on today anyway, just practice runs, and such. The ski jumping was going to be started early, just in case of high winds, good planning, that is exactly what happened.

This is what was postponed/cancelled today: Ski jump qualifying on the 90-meter hill, the first competition of the Winter Games, was canceled because of high crosswinds and blowing snow at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, and practice for the men's downhill was canceled, as was training for women's downhill and nordic combined. Practice runs for men's singles luge were delayed.