Opening ceremonies: grand show
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Huge balloons, pioneer handcarts, massive buffalo, beaver and moose puppets, mountain men, ice skaters, lots of children and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir were scheduled for the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Games Feb. 8. The most watched show ever in history, the ceremonies' viewing audience was estimated to be 3.5 billion.
Choir members, along with three BYU performing groups — Ballroom Dance Company, International Folk Dance Ensemble and Living Legends — and hundreds of other Latter-day Saints were among the participants lined up for the Olympic kickoff.
Details of the ceremonies, produced by Don Mischer, were kept secret before the event. A massive ice rink and ceremonies stage transformed Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah into Olympic Stadium, complete with a 71-foot Olympic caldron made of twisting glass and medal, for the event.
During a press briefing held Feb. 6 in the Utah Media Center, BYU dancers spoke of the energy generated surrounding the ceremonies. Along with other dancers from throughout the state, ranging in age from 6 to 80 years old, they were excited to participate in a setting representative of the American West and Western Heritage.
Through music and dance, people worldwide will come together, said Christian Sorensen, a member of the BYU Ballroom Dance Team. "That is what the Olympics are all about," he added.
Because of press deadlines—the Church News was printed before the ceremony took place — coverage of the event will be included in the Feb. 16 issue of the Church News.
