Sunday, February 10, 2002

Biggest hazard might be prices

By STEVE SIMMONS and BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Sun Media
 SALT LAKE CITY -- Security at the E Center, the facility where hockey is being played, is among the tightest at any of the venues, but yesterday it reached ridiculous proportions. A couple of Slovakian journalists, who had brought fruit and snacks to the rink, had it seized by security. "They've got food for you inside," said the lady checking the bags. Instead, they were allowed to pay mere $13 for a bowl of soup and two muffins

 JUMP IN CROWDS: Who said Americans only cared about their own? Yesterday, a paid audience of 16,784 watched the ski-jumping phase of the Nordic Combined competition at Utah Olympic Park.

 CANADIAN CONTENT: There is a definite Canadian flavour to the musical acts chosen to perform in the Hallmark Celebration Concert Series at the Olympic medals plaza. Among the acts booked for nightly concerts here are: Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morissette and Nelly Furtado. Also on the concert schedule here: Dave Matthews Band, Lifehouse, Foo Fighters, Macy Gray, Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, Brooks & Dunn, Train, Creed, Marc nthony, Goo Goo Dolls, 'N Sync and Martina McBride.

 CAPITALISM AT WORK: A new brand of locally bottled water has hit the shelves in time for the Olympics. Called "Utah Beer -- nothin' but water", with the marketing slogan "There's no membership required."

 NO SHAME: Among those in attendance for Friday's opening ceremonies were Dave Johnson and Tom Welch, the disgraced former leaders of the Salt Lake City bid who resigned/were kicked out after the discovery of a bribery scandal that led to International Olympic Committee reform.

 IN AND AROUND: The Kenyan 2002 Olympic ski team, which consists of Richard Rono, is being outfitted by Games Sponsor Earbags of Sweden. Rono, a former marathon runner and cross-country skier, is just glad to get some kind of deal. Earbags is promoting itself as the "Official Earmuffs of the Kenyan Ski Team." ... Team Canada associate coach Ken Hitchcock watched the opening ceremony at Canada House located in downtown Salt Lake. A gathering place for Canadians during the Games, they also had CBC's broadcast for the athletes and team officials who didn't attend.

2002 Games News Coverage