The Winter Olympics were formally opened by President George W Bush US in Salt Lake City with a predictably patriotic rally cry to US Olympic athletes.
Patriotic symbolism prevaded the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics as President Bush, blinking back tears, watched eight American athletes flanked by an honor guard of police and firefighters carry a tattered US flag unearthed from the rubble of the World Trade Center into Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The torn banner, deemed too fragile to be run up the Olympic pole in Salt Lake City's stiff wind, rippled in their hands as the 360 men and women of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang the national anthem.
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Fireworks herald the beginning of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photograph by Reuters
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After a colorful parade of more than 2,500 athletes from 77 countries, President Bush officially launched the 19th Winter Olympics adding a preface of his own to the traditional concise proclamation.
"On behalf of a proud, determined and grateful nation, I declare open the Games of Salt Lake City, celebrating the Winter Olympic Games," he said.
"You the athletes are going to represent us with such class and dignity and courage," he said. "It's a chance for the world to see that in times of war we can come together in friendly competition to promote the peace."
"You represent a spirit that is much bigger than evil and terror. You represent peace."