Online Message Board: What Do You Think of the 2002 Olympics? So what's on your mind with the 2002 Winter Olympics? Is the traffic as bad as you thought? Do you agree with the judges that gave the Canadian skaters the silver? How's the coverage? We want to hear what you have to say. Please keep it clean. Note that all messages are reviewed before going live! Here's what others have to say:

Park and Ride information -- Blaine of Lehi, UT

I think KSL/SLOC needs to let listeners know that the FREE park and ride lots are only for those who live in the Salt Lake Region. Those in Utah County are forced to pay $4.50 a person to come. If you want to alleve congestion, make it free for the entire valley.  

Utah's Scenery -- Sue of Grand Junction, CO

The coverage of the "culture" during the Nagano games was so great! Why haven't we seen any coverage of Utah's terrific National Parks, Monuments, State Parks, and other awesome scenery?  

Olympic Mascots -- Jacci of Layton, UT

Hey! What happened to the 3 cute Olympic mascots? Where are they hiding? I'm tired of seeing the stuffed seagull, it doesn't portray the spirit of the Olympics! Swifter, smarter and stronger,are the themes they stand for. Jeez, I think thats what they stand for, I'm not actually for sure because they haven't been covered much at all during these games. I would love to know their individual names too, I think two of them are Copper, or Coal maybe, but whats their names for sure? Please show them more, they add SO much personality, and really do help "Light the Fire Within!", and help embody the Olympic experience for everybody and specially the children!   

Where is the spirit for the Utah gaurdsmen? -- Tobias of Provo, UT

SLOC, Utah State, & every person should be upset that the men and woman of Utah national Gaurd are not being treated the same as the ciliven volunteers. 1. the Gaurdmen are required to pay for the mess hall services at the rate of $240.00 per month. This is more money than some of these families spend for their families for the same period of time. Th night watchmen don't get off till morning mess is over, sleep during lunch mess and get only dinner mess. 2. they are working 12hr. shifts everyday for the call up period. Some are doing this at a loss of pay, they would make more if they were at thier civilian jobs. 3. SLOC is making millions of dollars at the cost of the service men and thier families. 4. SLOC spent alot of money for outfit for the police,fire,ect, but the gaurdsmen have not received any thing to remind them of the great service they are providing for the games.   

Annissinna&Peizerat's Gold -- Sylvia of New Orleans, LA

Hard to believe anymore insults could be hurled at the French, but skating announcer Tom Hammett(?), I believe, did just that. On 2/18/02, he announced to the world that he believed the French Ice Dancing team's music selection "diminished the words of Dr.King". Well, who spit in his Mountain Dew? If you don't know anything about the art of interpretive dance, keep your inane remarks to yourself, Tommy. Spare those of us who saw the beauty in their tribute to the Liberte, Egalite, and Fraternite that is their country's motto, and try to remember that it was they who gave us the Lady who stands in our harbor as a reminder of that liberty. I think the French took enough harrassment over the episode with the judge. Going after them like that, Tom, made you look like an 'ugly American'. God forbid someone should add beauty, grace, class and artistry to sport! What'll those French think of next? As for Dr.King, he probably looked down and smiled. Great job hosting the Olympics, Salt Lake City!   

Hungry -- Bill of Roy, UT

I love what I've seen so far. I traveled by plane last week and I talked with some French people living in Canada and a guy from Philidelphia who were just impressed by the opening ceremonies. They loved it as I did. The only complaint I have is the coverage of the Olympic events in this years as well as all in the past. They won't show all the events that I want to watch on the television nor will they show them live. It's too bad. I love the American team but I also would like to see some foreign hockey teams play to see how tough the competition is or watch the champions. It seems that we only see the events where the Americans are favored to win a medal. On rare occasions they throw me a bone but for the most part, I go hungry.   

Korea open house -- william of north salt Lake, UT

Very nice open house,thanks Korea!!  

Judges for skating -- Bonnie of Oak City, UT

The judging needs to be changed. One of the things that needs to happen is that they should not be allowed to see the practice sessions. That way if a team makes an unplanned error as the Canadians did in the free dance tonight they would not be aware of it. I thought that they covered up their error very nicely and they should have been awarded the bronze medal. They really did a much better dance than the other bronze contenders. The judges need to be paid as Scott Hamilton said and the judges need to be more evenly distributed as far as countries are concerned. Either that or no judge from a skating country should be allowed on the panel. If a judge is then caught cheating in any way, then they should lose their standing permanently and all monies they have coming should be forfeited. The French judge from this year should be permanently dismissed as well as the others who pressured her to cheat. The judges in the past from the Japanese Olympics should not have been allowed back either. The Olympics should be about fairness above all. How do we teach our children to be fair, when adults act like morons!!!!!!!  

Where is the Olympic Spirit -- Victoria of Rochester, NY

This is the 19th winter Olympics, and there has been several olympics in the past where because of human nature, and the the whole idea of subjective decisions, someone must win ... and in order to do this another must fail. What happened with the ice skating competition is totally rediculous. Where judges are involved the decision must be biased one way or the other. Are we now going to have athletes objecting on a whim because they thought they should have won. I hope when this happens that athlets from the less economically vital, poorer countries would be heard. For the rest of the WORLD knows that if this happened ... and HAS happened to athletes from poorer countries and there is no support from the rest of the world for them to be heard. What do these athelets do ... keep akindle the olympic spirit and move on. Finally, since there a now two gold medals, shouldn't the Chinese now have the silver medal and the athletes in fourth position the bronze medal. But of course this would not happen... China is by far a less economically vital country than NORTH AMERICA (since this is what the Canadian team has been referred to lately) hence, who cares about their position. It is small instances like these that create hatred among men ... we better wake up and smell the coffee   

Olympics not a contest between countries -- Carol of Glens Falls, NY

The media has long lost sight of the fact that the Olympics are not a contest between countries, but between individuals, or teams in the case of team sports. It would be nice if the media would stop listing total medals won by each country as though the individual performances were not what really matter.  

Jim Lampley -- John of Seattle, WA

Will someone please tell Jim Lampley that Russia is no longer a "super-power". Read the papers Jim. Can the drama!  

IMPRESSED -- Renate of Payson, UT

I personaly would like to express my thanks to the SLOC for an Olympic very well organized and for putting forth such a great effort to make this the best Olympics ever. The opening ceremony set the stage for the rest of the Olympics and needless to say it was a great spectacular performance. It has really shown that the integrety is back into the whole Olympic organization thanks to Mr Romney. This is what the AMERICAN SPIRIT is all about. It really makes me proud of being able to say "I AM AN AMERICAN" and a Naturalized one at that. There is no better country on earth then the USA and I'm glad to be part of it. Living in Utah has been a great pleasure and blessing to me and my family. May God's Blessings be upon us all in time to come. Sincerely Renate Gardner  

ShortTrack, Men 1000m -- Steve of Tokyo, AL

Today's game was THE most disappointing game I've ever seen in Shorttracks. Not just because of the ridiculous result brought on by the players' unfair game but the referees who are evidently corrupted and biased - obviously towards China and perhaps US (being the home ground). We have seen here from our country over and over on replay how the Chinese player Li Jiajun pulled the Korean world champion (Kim Dong-sung)'s leg from behind to slip him from the track, and how the referee disqualifies the JAPANESE player instead of the Chinese in spite of his cowardly action. All of us who witnessed the scene repeatedly again on TV cannot help but think the Chinese has bribed the referees as the Russians did for the figure skating. Also I wish US would not be biased as to over play how unfairly Applo Anton has lost his Gold medal. If it weren¡¯t for him, Ahn Hyun Soo (the Korean player) would not have fallen and taken him along. It was Applo who gave a rough fight with Li Jiajun (Okay, Li Jiajun deserved to fall-he has constantly shown unfair play on ice all his career) and also blocked the path for Ahn Hyun Soo forcing him to fall and the other players with him. Our broadcasts have been showing the scene over and over again in slow motion - both of Li Jiajun's foul action in the semi finals and Applo's action during the final, whereas the American networks been covering up only Applo with biased remarks blaming the rest of the players. THIS IS THE OLYMPICS - ISN'T THIS ALL ABOUT GOODWILL AND FAIR GAME AMONG NATIONS. HOW COULD SUCH A RIDICULOUS THING HAPPEN IN THE OLMPICS???  

Angers Me -- Rachel of Westfield, NJ

Although I am not in the KSL TV region, I felt I needed to vent my opinion on an Olympic message board. I am outraged at the judging of the Men's 1000m Finals of speed skating today (Saturday). After the top four participants of the race fell, the Australian skater Steven Bradbury who was far behind in last place, skated easily across the finish line to win the gold medal. Apolo Anton Ohno, the American skater, favorite of the race, and leader before the collapses, almost crawled his way over the finish line for second place. Canada's Mathieu Turcotte got up later to claim the bronze medal. After viewing this disgrace of speed skating, I assumed the judges would have the race re-done so there could be a fair competition. However, I was incorrect! They let the standing stay, but did disqualify China's Li Jiajun, who started the domino effect of the other's falling. It was clear to all that it was not the other skaters' faults for the crash. In addition to not having a chance to win his gold medal, Apolo Anton Ohno also obtained a cut leng from the incident including stiches, a wheelchair to the medal ceremony, and a possibility that he may not be able to compete in his other three events in speed skating. Does anyone else believe that this was a horrible call in the judging of the Men's 1000m Finals?   

Figure Skating -- Debra of Woodland Hills, UT

I am glad the Canadians got the gold. For those individuals that think they were cry babies I would ask this question: " If you had woked for your hardest year after grueling year to just get to the Olympics, and when it came down to the ultimate and you skated a flawless performance, the best in the competition and did not receive the accolades you had earned and deserved, the crowd knew you had earned-how would you feel?" Perhaps with all that emotional high the let down and disappointment would bring tears even to your eyes. If not then you have amazing emotional control. I don't think the investigation should stop with the awarding of the gold medal to the Canadians. The judges, all the judges and their representative countries (not just the French judge), who were involved in vote collusion should be banned from judging for a set period of time and at least the next Winter Olympic. Aren't the Olympics suppossed to be about coming together in friendly competition and may the best athlete win, regaurdless of where he calls home? And shouldn't the judges be unbiased and fair? Perhaps some changes need to be made with the judging not the athletes to level the playing field.   

olympic madness -- u g of reno, NV

Little if any olympic infrastructure built by the tax payer is cost effecive - indebtedness will have to be repaid for years to come!!! Who gets what goldmedal and why is of little importance. Worry about the degradation of your civil liberties.   

FIGURE SKATING PAIRS, THANK YOU! -- Grandma J of Bountiful,, UT

Dear ELENA BAREZHNAYA and ANTON SIKHARULIDZE,

I am so happy that you will skate for us again. You must surely be tired and wondering what others will think of you after all the problems the judge had. Well, I know what I think. I can speak for very, many of us too who are very greatly impressed with your fine attitudes in sharing the gold medal and not blaming yourselves nor the Canadian's, Jamie Sale and David Pelletier. The judging problem had absolutely nothing to do with you nor Sale and Pelletier. I'm just so sad that the judges would bring into this venue, their ugly, dishonesty and unfair teatment. I think they should be put into a pair of skates and a very skimpy costume on those middle-aged bodies. (giggle) Then we shall judge with mercy, unlike them. For we are not as they are. And neither are most of the judges.

The skaters have worked so hard for years. They worked until they ached, and felt total exhaustion so that their programs were as perfect as they could make them. The four top skaters in this contests were so very excellent and so generously gave of themselves, (gave their all) so that we would get to share in their beautiful talents and enjoy those gifts. I do hope the Canadians will also share another program with us. I look forward to seeing as much of your skating as possible. I love to see your interpretations of the lovely music -- color and flowing movements that make the music even more grand. It's never more beautifully done than when the top skaters intrupret it. PLEASE, PLEASE KNOW HOW MUCH WE LOVE YOU, ELENE BAREZHNAYA AND ANTON AIKHARDULIDZE! We will be waiting to see you and Jamie Sale and David Pelletier.

No matter how the programs go, I will see nothing but the beautiful results of all the hard work you’ve done and all the love that went into those programs. If you ever make a Video tape, please write to me and tell me where I can get one.

Thank you for reading my long letters. I do apologize for it's length.

Love and Sincerity.
Joyce
from Bountiful, Utah -- only about 10 minutes from Salt Lake.

  

Results -- Jami of Layton, UT

I am very frustrated that we can not watch the Olympic coverage as it is happening. I understand the need to televise the competitions prime time, but why can't we see it as it is happening also. The other problem is that KSL tells the results of the competition during their 5:00pm news. So we know the outcome of the competition before we even get to see it. This was frustrating enough when the games were held in Nagano and time differences forced the issue. But to have the same problem when the games are being held here is ridiculous. If the games are not going to be shown until prime time-please don't tell us the results until after they are shown.  

Becky Scott Interview -- Tom of Orem, UT

MSNBC did an interview with Becky Scott just moments after she won the bronze medal for Canada in the women's 5K pursuit earlier today (2/15/02). Becky's comments were riveting. I have never heard anyone better express the striving, the desire, and the fire that drives an Olympic athlete. I hope her finish-line interview gets lots of air time. It would be good for the Olympic movement and another jewel in the mosiac of great moments for which 19th Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City will be remembered. By the way, I am NOT a Canadian.   

My thoughts... -- Laura of Redlands, CA

I am so happy to hear that the Canadian pair will be receiving a gold medal. I think that they deserve it and I disagree with people who feel that the Canadians are acting like spoiled, sour losers. The competition really was fixed, it has been proven. It makes me wonder how long and how often this happens. The Russians have been winning for so long that judges expect them to win. I hope that this will be a break in the Russian reign on pairs skating, not because they don't deserve to win, but just because it is more fun to watch if you don't know who is going to win. I know that my roommates and I have enjoyed hearing and keeping up with this story. Anyone who is sick of it should probably just turn the T.V. off and do something better with their time because this story has not been over covered and it is far from over.   

Bad losers from Canada -- Yulia of Boise, ID

I hope that the Canadian pair can actually enjoy those gold medals they had to whine and cry so long for. I think this is the first time in the history of figure skating that athletes receive gold medals for being bad losers!!! Maybe Canadians will learn their lesson and next time skate a program that is not two years old and absolutely unimpressive, even though considered "perfect" by biased and opinionated NBC announcers! Russian skaters have nothing to be ashamed of, they skated a new, beautiful, breathtaking program. Yes, Anton did make a mistake, nobody is denying that. But it was not the technical marks that allowed Elena and Anton to win gold, but the performance marks, which justly reflected the brilliant job they did! Shame on Sale and Pelletier, and shame on those supporting them!!!  

Who is lying? -- George of South Jordan, UT

Regardless of everything else in the Romney/security guard flap, ONE of them is LYING!!! Who is it? There must be witnesses to this event who will come forward with the truth. Knowing that why would Romney flatly deny his language? If it turns out Mitt must do a Clinton and retract his earlier assertions, it does not make Mitt look very truthful. The choice of language is not the story here, the "he said, she said" will become the issue.  

Mr. Paige's imhumane comments. -- A.J. of Salt Lake City, UT

I think that Mr. Paige is obviously an extremely ignorant person. He hasn't really studied our diverse culturistic state, he had no idea what he was talking about on Wednesday. I would always make sure I knew enough about a place or a city, before I'd begin the bashing. His appology, in my opinion was the most smart-a one that I have ever read. I guess that is the type of person that he wants everyone to believe that he is!  

Russians vs. Canadians -- Nikki of Tooele, UT

Shame on everyone for making such a big deal about the Canadians taking the silver and not the gold. At least they made it to the olympics and got a medal. The media needs to show the public the 2 performances side by side all the way through, not just side by side showing the jumps. I feel bad that the judge was maybe influenced in some way but that was one judge. The Canadians didn't deserve the gold in my eyes. When the Russians got finished with their routine, the Canadians started celebrating the "gold" before they even did their routine. And then they got finished with their routine and turned to one another and said "we are #1". Shame on them! They were very unsportsmanlike to stake their claim on the gold before they even performed. Their routine was 2 years old,(according to what Scott Hamilton said on live television) and they showed nothing new for the olympics. Even though the Russians didn't get the jump as good as the Canadians, the Russians had an overall better performance and routine than the Canadians "flawless" performance. The Canadians flaw was to start celebrating and acting like spoiled brats who didn't get what they wanted! If the Canadians are awarded a gold medal too, then every figure skating pair should also receive one, because in their eyes I'm sure they feel they had a solid gold performance too! In my eyes the saddest thing is not that the gold wasn't awarded to the Canadians, but that the Russians aren't getting the glory they deserve for their outstanding performance that they worked so hard for. What lesson are we teaching our children? If at first we don't get what we want, throw a fit until we do?   

Paige's Retraction Lacks Conviction -- Lupe of Littleton, CO

I was appalled at the writings of Mr. Paige with regard to his attacks on the State of Utah, its people (mormon and nonmormon) and the Mormon Religion (it is not a culture). His article, pulled from the website (as to not further offend anyone - yeah right!) was a vicious attack on primarily the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In his retraction, he says "I have studied the history of the state and the church. I have read the Book of Mormom, and I have toured the Temple Grounds" ... does this mean then that he truly understands the Mormon Religion ... and then purposely went out of his way to promote ludicrous ideas? In this age that we live in, if an "apology" is offered & "should" be accepted ... all should be forgotten. Well this man should be held accountable for his actions ... and accountability means more than simply acknowledging your "mistake" and moving on. As an editor of this newpaper, I am quite dissapointed in your lack of foresight as to how this would be acceptd in this area, let alone nation and world-wide ... and you can be sure this article, conventiently taken off the web, will be circulated.   

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