Friday, February 8, 2002

Human being confirmed to light torch

By CHRIS STEVENSON -- SLAM! Sports
 SALT LAKE CITY - It's always the big question on the eve of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony: who will light the flame?

 It's a question that was asked a number of times Thursday at a pre-ceremony press conference.

 After being rebuffed a couple of times, one reporter asked: "What type of human being will it be?"

 That brought some laughter and this reponse from Mitt Romney, the president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee: "It is a human being."

 Speculation here has the 1980 men's hockey team, the authors of the Miracle on Ice when they won the gold medal, as the leading contenders.

 The lighting of the cauldron, which towers 117 feet tall with a flame that will leap 24 feet into the Utah sky, will be in keeping with the theme of the evening's ceremony: lighting the fire within.

 The cauldron, constructed of stainless steel and glass, is the first to be constructed from translucent materials. When the flame is ignited, small jets will send water down the inside of the bowl to create the effect of an icicle melting.

 The theme of these Games will be embodied in the child of light, the principal character of the Opening, Closing and Medal Ceremonies. In the beginning of the Opening Ceremony, the child faces adversity in the form of a storm. After lighting the fire within, the child overcomes the storm and spreads the light to hundreds of other children who then usher in the athletes in the parade of nations.

 The athletes are being brought into the stadium earlier than in previous ceremonies.

 Once in the stadium, they will be welcomed by the five Native American tribes from Utah.

 There will be musical performances by Sting and Yo-Yo Ma, Robbie Robertson, the Dixie Chicks, LeAnn Rimes, R. Kelly, native performers Rita Coolidge and Walela and the Morman Tabernacle Choir, among others.

 The weather is expected to be about 0 C with light winds, but people holding the $885 U.S. tickets were told to dress very warmly.

 "If you've spent $885 on ticket and you're wearing tennis shoes, you're in deep trouble," said Romney.

2002 Games News Coverage