Salt Lake City GER 12 16 7 35 USA 10 13 11 34 NOR 11 7 6 24 CAN 6 3 8 17 RUS 6 6 4 16 AUT 2 4 10 16 ITA 4 4 4 12 FRA 4 5 2 11 SUI 3 2 6 11 NED 3 5 0 8 Full 2002 table

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Matheson proclaims victory for Oly security

Deseret News Washington Bureau

      In the official Democratic response to President Bush's weekly radio address, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, proclaimed victory in what was essentially the battle of the Salt Lake Olympics in the war on terrorism.
      "The tragedy of Sept. 11 left many wondering if the Olympics should be canceled out of fear of another terrorist attack. But determination prevailed," Matheson told a national radio audience.
      "We braved the lines at metal detectors, held out bags to be searched, arrived early, and waited in the cold. We were not about to let the terrorists win," he said.
      Major radio networks weekly give Democrats a few minutes for a spokesman to address whatever they want, after Bush gives his address. The party chose Matheson to talk Saturday about how his fellow Utahns fared with the Olympics.
      "Just as the athletes have been awarded medals for their success, we, too, have scored a victory. For 17 days, we came together — people from all walks of life — in friendship and celebration," he said.
      Because of the ongoing war on terrorism, Matheson said extraordinary security efforts were taken to ensure that the Olympics remained safe.
      "Military personnel outnumbered athletes four-to-one. With nearly 2,500 athletes, tens of thousands of visitors and the president of the United States on hand, Salt Lake City and the surrounding venues have been the most secure place on Earth," Matheson said.
      "The Utah Olympic Public Safety Command took the lead, creating a model for how to coordinate the efforts of 60 federal, state and local agencies to keep us safe," he added.
      He said the vigilance appears to have worked so far — and that everyone appears to be doing well "except for a few reported outbreaks of the flu in the athletes' village."
      Matheson added that Utah is proud of how the world came together there and the friendships it fostered. "I was warmed by the glow of different cultures and countries coming together in peaceful competition. Flags waved, children danced, voices sang," he said.
      He urged the world to build upon that experience toward peace.
      "Just as Utah has created a legacy for winter sports, we should use our Olympic experience as a guide for building a lasting legacy of peace, freedom and opportunity for all nations," Matheson said.