The World Gathers
The Miracle on Ice 1980 U.S. hockey team wowed audiences for the second time in Olympic history during the Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Games in Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Captain Mike Eruzione led the 18-member hockey team, who won the gold medal in the 1980 Olympics beating the predicted-to-win Soviet Union team, as they lit the cauldron to mark the beginning of 17 days of intense competition.
Fifty-two thousand spectators attended the ceremony, and the security at the venue outnumbered the athletes 5 to 1.
President George W. Bush spoke at the beginning of the ceremonies on the effect the Olympics could have on international relations, and how fear would not stop the Games.
“We’re learning how to make America more secure,” he said. “We won’t let the terrorists shut us down.”
In memory of the Sept. 11 attacks, eight athletes were chosen by their teammates to carry in a flag that survived the devastation and spent three days buried in rubble at Ground Zero before being recovered.
Those athletes were accompanied by police, firemen and other civil servants from New York City.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang a poignant rendition of the National Anthem, accompanied by the Utah Symphony, as the television cameras panned to show crying spectators.
A symbolic program then followed with ice skaters portraying the Child of Light, 13-year-old Ryan Sandborne, fighting his way through a winter storm to find the Fire Within.
The traditional Parade of Nations took place near the beginning of the ceremony, whereas in years past it has taken place closer to the finale.
Greece began the processional, followed by all the other nations involved in alphabetical order, with the United States entering last as the final culmination and hosting nation.
Performances by the five Native American tribes in Utah and by residents reenacting the Mormon pioneers entrance into the valley, gave a symbolic history of Utah while drawing the world into the spirit of the Games.
Athletes including Picabo Street, Dorothy Hammill, Scott Hamilton, Phil Mahre, Bonnie Blair and Dan Jansen carried the torch in the stadium before Eruzione stepped out of a door near the base of the cauldron to complete the ritual.
Speculations have abounded for weeks about who would light the cauldron during the Opening Ceremonies, and although it is always one of the best-kept secrets of the Olympic Games, the identity of the carrier seemed to be fairly predictable this year.
The Miracle on Ice team has been one of the most popular guesses by media and others, especially after the team reunited for last week’s NHL all-star game.
Brandon Farnworth, an Olympic volunteer from Salt Lake who was able to get a preview of the Opening Ceremonies at the Wednesday, Feb. 6 dress rehearsal, said secrecy was important in making the ceremonies the incredible event they were.
“The world is gonna be stunned,” he said that night. “But we can’t give anything away. The element of surprise is going to make the ceremony.”
President Bush became the first standing U.S. President to open a Winter Olympics. While standing with members of the U.S. Olympic team, he officially welcomed the world to our country.
“On behalf of a proud, determined and grateful nation, I declare open the Games of Salt Lake City, celebrating the Olympic Winter Games,” he said.
The ceremonies performances focused on the theme of the Games to “Light the Fire Within.”
People lined up outside the stadium to go through the security check point before entering the opening ceremonies. (Jessica Archer )
French students wave a flag in support of their home country at the Olympic torch relay celebration. (Zak Larsen )
Fireworks help celebrate the Olympic opening ceremonies Friday at Rice Eccles Stadium. (Jessica Archer )