WinterSports2002.com, Wednesday, March 20, 2002

New book captures spirit, excitement of the Games

Deseret News staff

Inspired by a desire to create a visual public record of Salt Lake's Olympics, three Deseret News staffers have combined with the paper to produce a book that captures the unforgettable moments of the 2002 Winter Games.

Aptly titled "2002 Salt Lake City," the book contains 305 color photos hand picked by former News photography editor Tom Smart.

The 18 photographers who covered the Games for the paper submitted the most memorable images they captured through their lenses, and from those Smart made the selections.

The book chronicles the Olympic flame as it traveled to ground zero in New York, by dog sled across Montana, through hot springs in Colorado and made its final trip into Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium where the 1980 "Miracle On Ice" hockey team lighted Salt Lake's caldron during opening ceremonies.

The book captures all the ceremony and festivals as well as visiting dignitaries like President Bush and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

Of course, the sports are there, too. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, the images capture the Olympic ride.

A small amount of text, edited by News columnist Lee Benson and sports writer Ray Grass, is scattered throughout the 128-page book,

"It was the biggest event that the state's ever had and, you know, if you're going to do a book on anything it seems you would do a book on this," Benson said.

The album, which costs $24.95 for soft-cover and $44.95 for hardcover, will be available in bookstores April 4. Those wanting to reserve copies before the release date should call 1-800-261-5644 or visit the Web site www.desnews.com/2002slc.

Olympic employees, volunteers or anyone who participated in the Games can get a $5 discount if they mention their involvement when pre-ordering.

The News is also selling Olympic prints of staffers' photographs. Ten-by-12 prints are available for $15 and 12-by-18 for $25. Posters of the opening ceremonies and of Salt Lake's cityscape are available for $4. They can be ordered through the paper's Web site www.deseretnews.com or at the paper's offices at 30 E. 100 South in Salt Lake City.

© 2002 Deseret News Publishing Company