Salt Lake City has welcomed the world to the 19th Winter Olympics.

AP

President Bush declared the Games open late Friday, as he joined American athletes in the stands of the (Rice-Eccles) outdoor stadium, surrounded by 52-thousand cheering spectators. Mr. Bush opened the games "on behalf of a proud, determined and grateful nation."

He was introduced by International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who is presiding over his first Olympics. Freezing temperatures failed to dampen opening ceremonies at Olympic Stadium, which featured 800 ice dancers, huge animal puppets, American Indian flute players and popular performers, re-enacting stories of early pioneering days in western United States.

AP
Olympians carry the tattered American flag from the World Trade Center during the opening ceremonies

The two-and-a-half hour spectacle followed the entrance of a tattered U.S. flag recovered from Ground Zero, the rubble of the World Trade Center. An honor guard of American athletes and New York police and firefighters accompanied the flag which was met with respectful silence from the capacity crowd. That was immediately followed by the traditional parade of nations featuring thousands of athletes and team officials.

South African archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Polish president Lech Walesa and French skiing legend Jean-Claude Killy were among eight dignitaries who carried the five-ringed Olympic flag into the stadium. Others included Australian runner Cathy Freeman, former U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn, Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau.

The first winter games in the United States in 22 years are taking place under heavy security, just five months after terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. Federal and local law enforcement authorities and the U.S. military are out in force to guard Olympic athletes, spectators and venues.

The first competition of the Winter Games, ski jump qualifying, was scheduled Friday but was postponed until Sunday because of high winds and blowing snow.

The 2002 Winter Olympic Games close on February 24.

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