Mitt Romney

Given that Romney (pictured, right) is from Boston and has no real roots in Utah to begin with, should he move back, he could give Acting Governor Jane Swift a real run for her money for her job, despite the fact he is Mormon and in a state notorious for its religious bigotry. By that, I refer to the stink caused by neighbors (in two separate lawsuits) regarding the Mormon Temple in suburban Belmont that was finally resolved last year when the Supremes in Washington refused to hear one case and the Massachusetts Judicial Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling on the other, personally slamming Judge Elizabeth Fahey for having the temerity to interpret religious doctrines of a church of which she herself was not a member. Having read the ruling myself, it was BY FAR the best-written legal ruling I had read in over 20 years.

From being on the verge of ruin in 1999, when even I called for then-IOC President and dictator Juan Antonio Samaranch to pull the Games from Salt Lake because of the scandal that saw the removal of Dave Johnson and Tom Welch as head the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, in came Mitt Romney, a former Senate candidate and businessman of impeccable credentials and integrity who also happens to be serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – this in addition to his work with the Olympics. Romney was expected to be something of a savior to these games – a white knight if you will, and he was in ways beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. The games were successful from a standpoint of attendance, television ratings for NBC and especially from a profitability standpoint. Expected to lose money because of the scandal that had become synonymous with Salt Lake, it is now expected to either break even or even make money due in solely to Romney’s efforts.

Unlike the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games (logo, left) which NBC screwed up from the get-go with its overly jingoistic approach (concentrating solely on the Americans at the expense of talented athletes from other countries), this Olympics took the time to focus on athletes from other countries and that not only added a great deal to the coverage, but also to the spirit and the ideals of the Olympic movement of sport. Having Jim McKay on loan from ABC Sports only added to the dignity that is synonymous with the Olympics.

While having never competed in the Olympics, as a former athlete myself, I can appreciate the efforts taken by those who make the sacrifice of time and effort to qualify for the Olympic team. Two of my friends have competed in the Olympics – one in Montreal in 1976, and the other in Los Angeles in 1984, winning two Gold Medals. Their examples of sacrifice and commitment continue to serve as examples to me, even though all of us have gone on to other fields of endeavor. One is now a nurse, the other is on the speaking circuit and I run this magazine among other things, cranking out two or so columns a week. I think I can safely speak for the other two as well when I say that life has been good for us in the ensuing years since our days as athletes.

Athletics taught us the importance of team play, the value of grace in winning as well as in defeat and the ability to work and play with others – something that has served us well throughout our lives. Each of these qualities is a means to an end and like all who have competed in one avenue or another; each of us has come to realize that in our own lives.

Closing Ceremonies at Rice-Eccles Stadium (AP)

The Olympic closing ceremonies (photo, right) were done with style, class and dignity, and for that Mitt Romney, the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, the people of Salt Lake City and the State of Utah should be congratulated for a job exceptionally well done. IOC President Jacques Rogge was right when he said that they did a fantastic job putting the Olympics together.

Perhaps the most refreshing parts of the evening were when Rogge declared the Games closed and all 70,000+ in the stands let out a collective “Awwwwww!”. The other one was when – unlike his predecessor, he did not utter the delusional self-deifying “The Best Olympics Ever!” Believe me, had Samaranch been there (thank goodness he wasn’t), I would have had my shoe at the ready to throw at the television were that remark uttered. To me, that statement is far more profane than anything any of the Sopranos would ever utter on their weekly HBO series, and I don’t even watch that!

Salt Lake Temple

Yes indeed, the Salt Lake Olympics were a moment for the history books, and all I can hope for now is that NBC and the IOC comes out with a highlights package on DVD. This will then allow me to enjoy the highlights over and over again whenever I feel so impressed.

Thanks once again for the memories, Salt Lake City (Salt Lake Temple, shown left). Once again, you will never be forgotten. With love and appreciation, part of you will always remain forever in my heart.