The opening ceremonies for the 19th Winter Olympics are about to begin in Salt Lake City in the U.S. western state of Utah under unprecedented security.

A 16-thousand member security force, including local police, federal agents and snipers, will be patrolling the ground and the skies as the ceremonies begin shortly inside the Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium.

President Bush will be among those attending. In a pep talk to U.S. athletes before the opening ceremonies, Mr. Bush asked them to represent the best of freedom and peace as the war against terror continues following last year's terrorist attacks against the United States. Earlier, President Bush said the Olympics give the world a chance to celebrate cooperation.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan will also attend the opening ceremonies, which will culminate in the lighting of the Olympic torch.

The ceremonies will begin with eight U.S. athletes joined by New York police and firefighters who will carry a tattered flag recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the September 11th attacks.

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

Events in moguls, cross-country skiing, hockey, figure skating and speedskating are scheduled for Saturday. In all, more than 25-hundred athletes from about 80 countries are taking part, including one sole representative from Thailand, in men's cross-country skiing.

Meanwhile, several athletes already have been barred from competing in the games after testing positive for banned substances. The 2002 Winter Olympic Games close on February 24th.

(reuters, afp, monitored)

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