Games bring unity to Utahns
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As Utahns of diverse backgrounds joined ranks to serve people, visitors found enthusiasm and warmth at the Salt Lake 2002 Games, said Bruce L. Olsen, managing director of the Church's Public Affairs Department.
He said that as he went from venue to venue during the Games, "all the volunteers stood side by side to help visitors, even to the extent of apologizing when someone set off an alarm on the metal detector and had to be wanded. The volunteers were truly wonderful," said Brother Olsen, who served as the Church's Olympic coordinator.
"All of us in the Church are very grateful to have joined hands with the interfaith community, with volunteers of all faiths, flocks and persuasions, as well as with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, in doing what we could to host successful Games here," he said.
Brother Olsen said he was also grateful that what some called the "Mormon Olympics" — a term that loomed from the day that the Olympics were announced — have been anything but. "They were the Olympics of the city of Salt Lake City, the state of Utah, and of the United States of America."
The Church's taking a low key approach, as well as waiting to be asked by the community to do things, was appreciated, in contrast to some other faiths whose members handed out materials on the street, he said. He believes the world discovered that Utah is a very cosmopolitan place, one of the few in the United States where "as many languages are spoken as well as they are here."
"I think we have always had an inferiority complex here in the Rocky Mountains. And I believe some of our Eastern friends urged that on us at times," he said. "That has been replaced by a justifiable and righteous pride in what was accomplished during the Olympics.
"The work part of the Olympics is now over, but I think people in general had a great time, enjoyed meeting people from many nations as well as our own, and just plain had a lot of fun. They took a lot of joy in seeing things go well and all of that brought about a unity and love that we hadn't had before."
He said the Church's News Resource Center helped visiting journalists dispel myths and stereotypes about the Church and state. (See article on the News Resource Center.)
"A lot of journalists from other countries now know a little bit about us," he said. He noted that in some countries, the media presented up to 100 stories a day in which the Church was prominently mentioned. Queries from major media during the 17-day Games could be compared with the total inquiries during a 12-year-period, he said. From department surveys on the Internet, about 95 percent of the articles were positive and accurate in their portrayals of the faith and culture. "It was very satisfying and speaks highly of the media of the world," he said.
Some of the visitors made special trips into the center on the last day to say thank you for the hospitality.
The News Resource Center was one of the developments of a committee organized in October 1995 under the leadership of Elder Robert D. Hales and Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve. This committee, which included about a dozen members including Brother Olsen, planned the appropriate role for the Church during the time Salt Lake City hosted the Olympics. Their goal was to be responsive to the media, responsive to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. They also sponsored "The Light of the World" presentation in the Conference Center.
"President Hinckley had some strong impressions and guidance for us that turned out to be wise and prophetic counsel in every case as to the course the Church should take," Brother Olsen said.
He said the Church supported the Salt Lake Organizing Committee's effort to recruit volunteers by sending a letter encouraging members to volunteer for SLOC, and waited until the organizing committee had satisfied its needs before the Church began seeking volunteers.
"We had everything we needed, and more," he said.
The Church's 5,000 volunteers were trained under the direction of Janette Hales Beckham and her husband, Raymond to "meet and greet and be non-judgmental, and taught how to be truly helpful."
Security at Church sites was also increased following Sept. 11, 2001. "It was very important for the Church to protect those people who came on the Church campus, and that we not be seen as a soft target."
Brother Olsen said he accompanied 10 journalists and several heads of state in meetings with President Hinckley.
"They got to know the Brethren and their warmth. Often, they were astounded at how well the Brethren knew their countries, their people and their culture.
"I saw President Hinckley with a leader of a country, [and President Hinckley would] say I have been here, and here and here — going from the north to the south of the country. He knew people in that country. That is very impressive to people. Every one of them went away saying what a remarkable man President Hinckley is. He has great personal warmth, and an ability to speak in sound bites. They love that."
E-mail: jhart@desnews.com
