It was more than a fitting end. Grandiose, to say the least.
It had to be, it's the Olympics Games, after all.
The final day of the 2002 Winter Olympics mixed superb athletic skill (see Canada-U.S. men's hockey gold medal game) with an extraordinary closing program.
Regardless of where you came into the 31⁄2; –hour; finale you had to be pleased. There was something for everyone, all in breathtaking color. My favorite was the duet that included Charlotte Church. Sixteen, huh? Can anyone be that good at anything at 16?
All this from what started with the Salt Lake City organizing committee scrambling under bribery charges in years past. Then there was the judging melee of figure skating and speed skating and threats of taking your marbles and going home (Russia, South Korea).
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The final five minutes of fireworks were a fitting end to these Olympics, bright and bold in and out of the athletic venues.
Tim Grice
grice@postbulletin.com
