Critics Laud SLOC's Efforts During Opening Ceremony

	IOC President Jacques Rogge, U.S. President George Bush & SLOC President Mitt Romney Stand United

The XIX Olympic Winter Games began Friday with the Opening Ceremony at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT, and IOC President Jacques Rogge opened his remarks in speaking on the Olympic ideals: "A champion is more than a winner. A champion is someone who respects the rules, rejects doping and competes in the spirit of fair play." Rogge noted the impact of September 11 on the U.S. and said, "We stand united with you in the promotion of our common ideals and hope for world peace" (NBC, 2/8).

WHAT AN OPENING: In Salt Lake, Christopher Smith wrote that the $37M show was "safe and satisfying, a perfectly executed production that instilled patriotism and global solidarity. While it did not embarrass Utah, neither did it particularly distinguish it as a unique place in the Western landscape." Romney: "Opening Ceremony was exactly what we wanted.

	A Tribute To The American West

It was perfectly representative of what we wanted to show, flawlessly executed" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/10). In UT, Lisa Riley Roche noted with even Friday's snow storm the only element taken out of the show was the exhibition of five large white balloons that were to rise at the end of the show that were "shredded by high winds overnight" (DESERET NEWS, 2/9). In N.Y., Michael Janofsky called it a "festive ceremony that tried to eclipse the sobering moments already etched into the history of these Games" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/9). In Boston, Stephen Harris: "A visually stunning and moving Opening Ceremony that celebrated the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/9). Also in Boston, John Powers: "Resilience was the dominant theme" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/9). In Detroit, John Niyo: "A tribute to both the history of the American West and the spirit of humanity" (DETROIT NEWS, 2/9). In CA, Scott Reid: "A celebration of the resiliency of the human and the healing power of dreamers. ... [It] portrayed the host nation as defiant, wounded but unyielding" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 2/9).

	UT Indians Provide Stunning Visual

NEWSWEEK.com's T. Trent Grgaz noted that the "nod to Utah's Indian nations was noble and moving, while the `American West Suite' was corny and belonged in Disneyland." Overall the Ceremony was "dominated by class and community" (NEWSWEEK.com, 2/9). In CA, Ann Killion noted that the SLOC "seemed to have learned from their predecessors what works and what doesn't. What doesn't: overblown musical numbers, overdone American themes, over-the-top spectacles. What does: lot and lots of adorable children, simple music, a multitude of fireworks. And brief remarks by speakers." Killion: "Salt Lake City got it right" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/9). In AZ, Dan Bickley noted that the ceremony "struck a perfect chord, solemn and inspirational" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/9). In Denver, Susan Greene: "The ceremony drew enthusiastic reviews from the crowd" (DENVER POST, 2/9). In MN, Bob Kravitz: "It was powerful and moving" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/9). In Edmonton, Terry Jones called it "the show of shows. Not since I've been around has anybody open an Olympic Winter Games like this" (EDMONTON SUN, 2/9). In Toronto, David Shoalts: "Every person in the stadium had been touched by the sentiment that reverberated" (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/9).

	WTC Flag Displayed With Restraint

PATRIOTISM: In L.A., Abrahamson & Elliott noted the "overwhelming, and largely unscripted, outpouring of U.S. patriotism" by the crowd, the U.S. athletes and athletes from other nations (L.A. TIMES, 2/9). In DC, Amy Shipley: "The opening ... seemed to signal a change in pitch for a nation that has lately been feeling down on its luck. Tonight, being an American meant feeling buoyant and resplendent" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/9). Also in DC, Sally Jenkins wrote that the inclusion of the U.S. flag recovered from Ground Zero "was right. And just as rightly, there were no massive, boisterous shouts of `USA, USA!' Even the president acknowledged that this particular cry should be somewhat quelled at these particular games" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/9). In FL, Dan Hyde noted the flag was displayed "with restraint. It was shown as a symbol of lost lives, a tribute to resilience" (SUN-SENTINEL, 2/9). In Cincinnati, Lonnie Wheeler: "As much as the Salt Lake organizers would like fire and ice to be the symbols of the Winter Games, it will be the tattered flag" (CINCINNATI POST, 2/9). In Toronto, Rosie DiManno noted the U.S. insistence of the flag and wrote, "These are the Goddamn Games. Damn the terrorists. Damn the America-bashers. And damn the [IOC] too, if they thought they could keep the specter of 9-11 out of the Opening Ceremonies" (TORONTO STAR, 2/9). In Chicago, Philip Hersh noted the images from September 11 on Friday "made it clear that the Olympic ideal to achieve understanding through a peaceful assemblage of athletes was far from being realized" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/9).

	A Hoedown Or An Olympic Event?

NEGATIVE: In Seattle, Peter Lewis called it "all faux buffalo on skates, real horses on ice and a tiresome re-enactment of `How The West Was Won.' At times it felt more like a hoedown that a Olympic event. ... These ceremonies, at least, were dignified, if terribly dull" (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/9). In Miami, Dan LeBatard noted the "overwhelming excess" of the opening ceremonies, as these Games ... were wrapped in all manner of inflated importance, unfathomable amounts of time and money poured into a production meant to celebrate the way the play" (MIAMI HERALD, 2/9).