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Misgivings aside, 2002 Games did make history
By Mike Martinez
I never have identified with the Olympic movement. I did not see the value in hosting the Games and still do not. I am waiting for the announcement that the Games cost more than estimated and we will pick up the tab. However, I must admit that history was made. The first Mexican-American and African-American Olympians to medal in the Winter Olympics did so in Utah.
But, curiosity got the best of me and I ventured, against the advice of the Olympic gurus, downtown to see what the excitement was about. I strolled into Washington Square, also known as the City-County Building, several times to take in the entertainment. A massive stage was built on the State Street side of the edifice and a fence encircled the public ground, which was dotted with big white tents filled with vendors. I couldn't decide if the fence was to keep terrorists out or the vendors in because on the days I visited I was alone in the square. Well, not completely alone, there were entertainers on stage and a few employees had wandered outside for a smoke and a few homeless men were trying to get some sleep, but, other than that, the public apparently ignored Rocky (I am Mayor of the World) Anderson's pleas to enjoy his $5 million boondoggle. I then wandered across the street to the Matheson Courthouse, which houses the District, Appellate and Supreme courts, to see what entertainment was going on there. Well, during the Olympics all parking around and under the courthouse was off limits. The judges had canceled all trials and court business for two weeks. But, someone forgot to tell the security personnel, the clerks and all court personnel, because they were in the courthouse killing time.
As I wandered the halls of justice I was amazed at how empty the building is when no public business is being conducted. The clerks were all in their cubicles and some looked at me suspiciously as I walked by. Some employees were joking around, others drinking coffee and reading and others just looking bored. I guess there was some logic to closing the courthouse for two weeks and keeping everyone on the payroll, but it eludes me.
I wandered up to The Gateway area a few times to see the Ethnic Village. On my first visit there were few patrons wandering through the booths. The vendors were selling ethnic related articles such as Native American art, clothing made from the wool of South American alpacas, jewelry and ethnic foods, but few were making any sales. The vendors I spoke to were disillusioned that the public was apparently not interested in their goods. Soon the media informed the public of the plight of the Ethnic Village, and on my next visit, Presidents Day, the place was jumping. The aisles were filled with Olympic visitors and locals perusing the goods and sampling the food. The entertainment was lively and I encountered a different attitude among the vendors. But, this was short-lived as it was revealed that the village was to close for lack of funds to pay the heating and electrical bills. The organizers of the village were not able to attract any Olympic money for their project. Dreams of a permanent ethnic village at Gateway are apparently just that.
It is ironic that Olympic planners used the Native Americans to run the torch through Arches National Park on prime time TV and again during the opening ceremonies. They used tribal leaders as evidence of the states diversity and heritage yet not one red Olympic cent went to the Ethnic Village. It is unfortunate that the "World Is Welcome" to Utah and the only ethnic exhibit was ignored by Olympic organizers and politicians.
I wandered over to the Expo Mart, which housed media from around the world, and met the Kane County tourism director who proceeded to fill me in on all the county events. I didn't know about the Greyhound Gathering or the Testicle Festival or the Bluegrass Festival or of the Western Legends Round Up. Kane County is 75 miles from St. George and a lot funner he said. If the Olympics come back Kane County should host them. It sounds like they know cosmopolitan entertainment and it's close to Las Vegas. Bob Costas recommended that anyone coming to Utah should continue on to Vegas, for real entertainment. I guess he's never heard of Wendover or Kane County.
Utah native Mike Martinez, an attorney in private practice, is active in Hispanic affairs. He has previously worked in the Utah Attorney General's Office, the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office and for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington D.C. E-mail: mmartinez@prism.net
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February 25, 2002
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