Showtime in Salt Lake

Text 8

                                                     Showtime in Salt Lake

Amid extraordinary security, heart felt patriotism and a record worldwide television audience, the curtain rises on this year's long-awaited Winter Games. Everybody was a little jittery before the 19th Winter Olympics opened last weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were fears of terrorism, as well as concerns that America's desire to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 attack would overshadow the international sporting event. There was even a bit of nail-biting about the weather: a winter storm pushed down temperatures in the beautiful Wasatch valley to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Practices for high-profile events - ski jumping and the downhill - had to be postponed.

 But the first couple of days of the mega-event-at which 2,300 athletes and tens of thousands of winter- sports fans from around the world are gathered - went off with hardly a hitch. The storm disappeared, leaving behind a blanket of fresh snow. The opening ceremony was a tasteful extravaganza (if there is such a thing), blending Hollywood entertainment and Olympic solemnity with a dollop of American patriotism. The theme of the show, "Light the Fire Within," was an inspiration- al message about overcoming adversity. Utah's pioneer history also worked its way into the mix: there was a hoedown on ice, complete with skating bison. The 80,000 spectators, who each paid upwards of $850 for the privilege of watching, were cold but happy. The program began poignantly. An honor guard of U.S. Olympic athletes, accompanied by New York City fire and police officers, carried the tattered World Trade Center flag to the center of Rice-Eccles Stadium. The crowd grew hushed, leaving only the thumping of a Black Hawk helicopter, patrolling the skies as part of a massive security effort. The brief but powerful presentation seemed just right: what better symbol and setting to demonstrate the pressing need for cultural harmony? Security will be as much a backdrop to these Olympics as the stunning mountains that surround Salt Lake City. Fans are facing long waits at checkpoints. But there will be plenty of athletic drama: U.S. figure skater Michelle Kwan will try to win the gold medal that eluded her four years ago; Norway and Sweden will battle for pre-eminence in the Nordic events. The men's hockey competition, bolstered by professional players, should be fierce. While the specter of terrorism lurks, the focus now is where it should be - on the athletes and the games they've begun to play.

Цього року ,в умовах підвищеної безпеки, палкого патріотизму та рекордної світової телевізійної аудиторії піднімається завіса довгоочікуваних Зимових ігор. Минулими вихідними усі трохи хвилювалися перед відкриттям 19-х Зимових Олімпійських ігор у Солт-Лейк-Сіті, штат Юта. Були побоювання з приводу тероризму, а також занепокоєння, що міжнародний спортивний захід затьмарить прагнення Америки віддати шану жертвам теракту 11 вересня .Погода навіть трохи підвела: зимовий шторм знизив температуру у чарівній долині Уосатч  до 7 градусів морозу. Довелося відкласти тренування для наймасштабніших змагань - стрибків з трампліну та швидкісного спуску.