Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to attend the men's hockey gold medal game Sunday at the E Center before attending the 2002 Winter Games' closing ceremonies.
The vice president's one-day trip to Utah comes on the heels of a swing through California and Jackson, Wyo.
"As a Westerner from a snowy climate, the vice president is looking forward to attending the Winter Games and watching our athletes participate," Cheney press secretary Jennifer Millerwise said.
Cheney is the last in a long line of Bush administration dignitaries to visit Utah during the Games.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld attended some Olympic events and met with athletes and soldiers here on Tuesday and Wednesday. President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell attended opening ceremonies Feb. 8. Other Cabinet members also dropped by the Beehive State, as did dignitaries and celebrities from around the globe.
Security for Cheney's visit will essentially be same as when Bush visited.
Because the Olympics were already designated a National Special Security Event, the high level of security for Cheney's visit will not need to change dramatically, U.S. Secret Service spokesman Tony Ball said.
"We don't have to change the security to accommodate the president or vice president — the security stays the same," Ball said.
As with any presidential or vice presidential visit, the Secret Service sends agents ahead to pre-scout the areas where Cheney will visit. They'll also coordinate traffic control with local agencies depending on where Cheney's motorcade passes.
Because of recent heart problems, Cheney also has a medical staff that travels with him.
The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints was not aware of any plans to meet with Cheney during the vice president's visit.
E-mail: djensen@desnews.com
