Stu's email address is stumail@earthlink.net.

 

Editor's Note: This is part two of a three-part series of Stu and his friend Marty's journey to the Winter Olympics. With tickets in hand, we are on our way to the Opening Ceremonies for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games. I knew this was going to be exciting, but there was no way I could have known what an adrenaline rush was to come. Let me point out that the Opening Ceremonies were so spectacular that if I had had to leave afterwards and not see any of the games, it alone would have been worth the trip to Utah. Security is tight, but they move everyone through, efficiently and politely. Once inside the Olympic Stadium (Rice Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah), we find our seats; about the 30-yard line and twenty seats up. These are great seats. There is already excitement in the air. Matt Lauer and Al Roker (Apparently, Regis was not available) welcome everyone and we are instructed on what our part will be in the Ceremonies: Wearing white ponchos, holding up colored cards, holding up flashlights, etc. All of these items are included in the packets taped to our seats. Also inside are a seat cushion, hand warmers Kleenex and other souvenirs from sponsors. It's twenty-some degrees and everyone is bundled. There is little wind and small bursts of snow flakes that occur seemingly at staged moments of the Ceremonies. For a cold winter night, the weather couldn't have been more idyllic. For about three hours there is one emotional burst, one right after another. It's too much. There's not a dry eye in the stadium. How could there be? You couldn't be human and not be overwhelmed by the immensity of emotion. The ceremonies start with a video montage of past olympics; very stirring. Then they bring the President of the United States out--by himself! In front of a stadium of 60,000 people. The closest Secret Service agent is twenty five feet from him. Like George W. or hate him, it was a powerful sight to see a U.S President, especially in light of our world today. He could have easily huddled in a heated press box and waved out the window. But he didn't and that spoke loudly. Next, the U.S. Flag from the World Trade Center enters the stadium as a hush falls over the crowd. It was absolutely quiet in the capacity stadium. I mean it was QUIET--pure silence. We didn't know how to react. Should we clap? Should we be silent? Should we stand? No one knew. There it was, the tattered flag, pulled from the wreckage for the world to see. By now, I've gone through half of my complimentary Kleenex pack. Then, the military color guards march in and a new U.S. Flag is raised as the National Anthem is sung by New York Police Department officer Danielle Ortega. It is an emotional tsunami. Could this get anymore emotionally powerful? Yes! Once we begin to dry our eyes, the ice show begins with the Child of Light skating with a lantern, personifying the strength of the human spirit and the struggle against adversity. "Light the Fire Within," is the them of these Olympic Games. It celebrates the power of the Olympics and Olympians to inspire through the spirit of harmony and friendship. As maudlin as it may sound, the Olympics have the rare ability to bind us together with the shared experience of hope and wonder. Next is the Parade of Athletes. With children lighting their way, the athletes march into the stadium. Greece, as is tradition leads the parade and the host team enters last. The crowd enthusiastically supports all the teams from Iraq (one of George W's ‘Axis of Evil' countries) to countries such as Thailand with just one athlete. Then the emotion turns from tears to laughter as the famed Jamaican team enters, then back to cheers and tears. The crowd runs the gamut of emotions in a matter of second. The Canadians and English delegations receive audibly louder cheers from the crowd, as though acknowledging them as allies. Of course, when Team USA enters, the crowd goes nuts, everyone on their feet. The cheering goes on and on. There is such a release, I don't know where the energy came from in light of all we've been through so far. It is simply amazing as the crowd pays homage to these athletes, who represent the greatest achievements in winter sports. Next, is the Native American welcome, where five original nations of Utah: Shoshute, Navajo, Paite, Shoshone and Ute come together to welcome the world to Salt Lake and America through dance and drumming. Another amazing sight. The crowd cheers and watches in awe of this display of color, movement and sound. The Ceremonies continue with more show, pageantry and entertainment, including the Dixie Chicks, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma and Lean Rimes. But they don't give me enough space to go into all this, but you get the idea. It's a sensory overload. I feel for any future Olympics because how will they ever top this? The final emotional high of the Ceremonies is the entrance of the Olympic Flame and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The Flame enters the stadium as the audience bursts with overpowering emotion. It is carried and passed between a number of former famous Olympic athletes. It goes up the steps toward the Olympic Cauldron. The crowd is the trying to guess the mystery guest who will light the Cauldron. Speculation is high that is going to be Rudy Giuliani. Turns out it's the captain of the 1980 gold-medal Olympic Hockey team, Mike Eruzione. What a great choice. The stadium goes nuts with approval, then it is announced that he will be joined by the entire 1980 team! It's too much! How awesome! Unfreakin' believable! We watch through our tear-filled eyes as they light the Cauldron. No words can begin to describe the moment with any justice. As the stadium slowly empties, the Olympic Flame blazing above, I sit, blowing my nose, just letting it all soak in. The experience; not the snot. What an amazing human experience. I could have never imagined it to be so powerful, so wonderful, so expensive! But hey, it was worth it and I'd do it again in a second. Join me in the next issue as I wrap up this three-part Olympic series of columns by sharing my experience at the Olympic Games, including Jonny Moseley's "Dinner Roll" and how I got a six-pack of beer for free! (TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT ISSUE)