Olympics begin in spectacular fashion
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The 19th Winter Olympics began with all the familiar and traditional fanfare Friday night, accompanied by an emotional recognition that these Games will take place in a far different atmosphere than the ones that have gone before.
In the largest international sports gathering since the world-altering events of Sept. 11, youthful athletes joyfully paraded around a platform of ice to again take up the Olympic dream of peace.
"On behalf of a proud, determined and grateful nation, I declare open the Games of Salt Lake City," President Bush proclaimed as he stood in the midst of the American athletes who had already marched into the stadium.
As Bush spoke the words that are used to begin every Olympics, snowflakes fittingly drifted down on the 55,000 specators who created the largest crowd ever to see an opening ceremony at the Winter Games. Those snowflakes were the remnant of a storm that swept through the area early in the day and forced postponement of Friday's only scheduled competition.
The ceremony, in most ways, duplicated those held throughout the years in St. Moritz, Lillihamer, Innsbruck and all the other cities and towns that have hosted the Games of ice and snow since the first one in Chamonix, France 78 years ago.
There was a tribute to the history of the host region in the form of a meeting of the five Indian nations and a depiction of the pioneers who settled the land. There was a musical festival with high-profile artists and fireworks throughout.
It was all climaxed by the lighting of the Olympic cauldron with that honor going to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that shocked the heavily favored Soviet Union to win the gold medal. It was the first collective flame lighting in Olympic history.
What made these ceremonies different, however, was the fact they and the surrounding Olympic venues were being guarded by 16,000 representatives of law enforcement and a sophisticated security blanket costing $350 million. For every athlete competing in the Olympics, there were six security officers on duty at the Games.
The cause for all the security was remembered in the opening moments of Friday night's spectacle when, with the temperature dipping below freezing, the World Trade Center flag was borne into Rice-Eccles Stadium by eight American athletes.
The flag, ripped almost in half in the devastation created by terrorist attacks, was carefully cradled while the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang the Star-Spangled Banner.
Bush and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge of Belgium, who is officiating at his first Games, stood nearby as the sounds of the choir's solemn rendition filled the air.
"To the people of America, Utah and Salt Lake City," Rogge told the crowd shortly before the Olympic flag was raised, "we are gathered once again in your great country. Your nation is overcoming a horrific tragedy. A tragedy that has affected the whole world. We stand united with you in the promotion of our common ideals and hope for world peace.
"With your help, we have kept the Olympic spirit alive."
History makers part of Olympic ceremony
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- In the midst of the dramatic opening ceremonies for the Winter Games, seven men and one woman carried the Olympic flag into Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Their time upon the stage was so brief that many in the crowd were likely unaware they had just seen an amazing collection of history-making individuals.
Carrying the flag were two Noble Peace Prize winners, one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of all time, three athletes who are among their nation's most revered citizens, the son of perhaps the most famous environmentalist in history and the first American to orbit the earth.
They represented the five continents plus the three pillars of the Olympic movement -- sport, culture and the environment.
Representing the Americas was 80-year-old former astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn. Other continents were represented by Lech Walesa, former president of Poland who won the Noble Peace Price in 1983; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won the prize in 1984; Japanese gold medal winner Kazuyoshi Funaki; and Cathy Freeman, who electrified her home nation of Australia with a gold-medal performance two years ago.
In addition, those taking part in the ceremony were motion picture magnate Steven Spielberg (representing culture), French skiing legend Jean-Claude Killey (representing sport) and Jean Michelle Cousteau, son of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.
Columbus shocks Detroit
DETROIT, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Marc Denis helped Columbus snap a five-game losing streak Friday night with an unlikely victory, making 33 saves as the Blue Jackets posted a 3-2 road win over the Detroit Red Wings.
The 24-year-old goaltender made a pair of key saves in the final five minutes of the contest to preserve his first win in five starts.
With 4 1/2 minutes to play, Denis dove to poke a loose rebound away from the crease.
Later in the game, after misplaying the puck, he dove across an open net to cover a Luc Robitaille shot that hit All-Star Espen Knutsen at the left side of the crease.
The win marked the Blue Jackets' first at Joe Louis Arena and also snapped the Red Wings' 13-game unbeaten streak on home ice.
Other NHL results: Buffalo 3, Ottawa 2 in overtime; New York Rangers 2, Atlanta 1; Colorado 6, Minnesota 0; Washington 3, Nashville 3; Dallas 1, Edmonton 1; Phoenix 6, Los Angeles 5 in overtime; Vancouver 4, Calgary 1; Carolina 4, Anaheim 1; San Jose 4, Chicago 2.
Woods barely survives cut
LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- J.L. Lewis and Kent Jones flourished and Tiger Woods barely survived Friday in the second round of the Buick Invitational.
Lewis and Jones both shot a 5-under 67 to share the lead after 36 holes at 9-under 135. They held a one-shot advantage over 1997 champion Mark O'Meara, Jay Haas and Rory Sabbatini. Fulton Allem, Tim Herron, Jay Williamson, John Rollins and John Senden were two shots back.
But while the leaders jockeyed for position, attention was focused on Woods, who struggled to a 5-over 77. It was his worst score in three years and left him at 1-under 143.
That barely allowed him to make the cut and extend the longest current streak of cuts made to 81.
The 11-stroke swing between Woods' first round and second round was his highest since a 13-stroke swing between the second and third rounds of the 1997 Las Vegas Invitational.
Johnson fastest at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Jimmy Johnson, a rookie driver for Hendrick Motorsports, was the fastest driver in January testing at Daytona Speedway and he continued to excel in Friday's opening practice rounds for the 44th Daytona 500, posting a lap at 185.033 mph.
Johnson is the newest addition to Hendrick Motorsports and his car is co-owned by Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, the four-time Winston Cup champion who also is ohnson's teammate.
If Johnson can maintain his speed advantage, he will be one of the contenders for the pole Saturday.
"Everybody is going to show their hand tomorrow," Johnson said. "Everybody is going to show their hands a little more tomorrow. Some of the guys were stepping it up this afternoon.
"Our game plan was to come out and hit every test session and practice session as hard as we could because we don't have any points for provisionals. So we've been laying our cards out on the table and everybody else is catching up now and we'll see what happens in qualifications."
Ricky Rudd was the second fastest in practice with a lap at 184.740 mph in a Ford Taurus. It was Rudd's first day back in a race car after undergoing back surgery in the offseason.
Stephon Marbury arrested
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Phoenix Suns point guard Stephon Marbury was arrested Friday on a DUI charge.
A Scottsdale police spokesman said Marbury had a blood-alcohol level of 0.153, nearly twice the legal limit, when he was stopped for excessive speeding. He was booked into the city jail and later released.
"I am sincerely sorry," Marbury said. "As with everyone, I must accept responsibility for my actions and I apologize to my teammates, the organization and the community for whatever embarrassment I have caused."
According to the police report, Marbury was driving 75 miles per hour in a 50 mph zone in his red Bentley convertible. When police discovered Marbury was slurring his speech, they administered a breathalyzer. Marbury was cooperative with officers throughout the process, police said.
Carter to miss All-Star Game
NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Vince Carter, the leading All-Star vote-getter for the last three years, will not be able to entertain the fans in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game.
The high-flying forward of the Toronto Raptors aggravated a left quadriceps tendon in Thursday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs and may be sidelined as long as 10 days.
Charlotte Hornets point guard Baron Davis has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace Carter on the Eastern Conference roster for Sunday's All-Star Game at Philadelphia. Davis becomes the 10th first-time All-Star chosen for this year's contest, tying a record for the most ever.
Carter suffered the injury when he landed strangely after being fouled by Tim Duncan late in the second quarter. He made two free throws before being taken to Toronto Western Hospital for diagnostic testing.
Tampa Bay leaves Lewis in lurch
TAMPA, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided Friday not to offer the team's head coaching position to Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, leaving Lewis surprised and disappointed.
Tampa Bay thus prolonged its coaching saga, having first been jilted by Bill Parcells and then unable to pry Jon Gruden away from the Oakland Raiders.
The St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday that Bucs general manager Rich McKay planned to offer the coaching job to Lewis, who has been in Baltimore for the last six years and is best known for running the defense that set the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season in 2000.
Players for both the Ravens and Buccaneers suggested the hiring of Lewis was a certainty.
But McKay's pursuit of Lewis was curious since team vice presidents Joel, Ed and Bryan Glazer, the sons of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer, cited offensive problems as the reason for Tony Dungy's firing last month.
Seeking an offensive-minded coach, the Glazers were not willing to authorize McKay's choice of Lewis, leaving the Bucs without a coach and McKay with a questionable future in Tampa Bay.
"There's no doubt that this is a setback for me and my family," Lewis said. "I'm disappointed. Emotionally, it's difficult, but I'll rebound in a hurry. I have to. I feel badly for my family, the Ravens and all the families whose lives were put on hold while I waited for a decision.
"I believe I can and will be a successful NFL head coach. I especially appreciate the efforts Rick McKay made on my behalf. I also appreciate the time the Glazer family gave me in an interview last night."
