    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [February 8, 2002]
    [Pages 203-204]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the United States Winter Olympic Athletes in Salt Lake City
    February 8, 2002

        Well, thank you very much. I'm not deserving, but I'm proud to wear
    this jacket. I want to congratulate our great country's Olympic team. I
    want to thank you all for your efforts. I want to thank you for your
    hard work. The whole country is pulling for you, and we're really proud
    of you.
        I want to thank all those who've worked to make these games go well:
    Mitt Romney, Sandy Baldwin, Lloyd Ward, Dwight Bell, Bernie Machen. I want to
    thank your coaches and your families.
        Today we're joined by three Port Authority Police Officers from New
    York City: Tony Scannella, Curt
    Kellinger, Frank Accardi. Where are they? There they are. [Applause] Thank you
    all for coming. And as you know, they brought with them one of the flags
    that flew in front of the World Trade Center on September the 11th,
    which will be carried into the Olympic Stadium today. This flag serves
    as a symbol of this Nation's strength, of our resolve, of our
    determination to fight for freedom.
        These games come at a perfect time for the country. In our time of
    sadness and determination and resolve, our Olympic athletes will
    represent the best of America. I can't wait for Americans to see our
    flag fly. It is such a proud moment for all of us. This Nation is
    steadfast and unified, and you, the athletes, are going to represent us
    with such class and dignity and courage.
        It's a chance for the world to see that in times of war, we can come
    together in friendly competition to promote the peace. So not only you
    represent the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, you represent a
    spirit that is much bigger than evil and terror: You represent peace.
        A lot of people are going to be watching you, particularly a lot of
    kids. You'll become heroes overnight. That's an awesome responsibility.
    I know you'll handle it with grace. I know you'll set the best example
    possible.

    [[Page 204]]

        And so we're here to wish you all the best, to congratulate you.
    Let's roll. God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:10 p.m. in Gymnasium A of the Health,
    Physical Education, and Recreation Complex at the University of Utah. In
    his remarks, he referred to Mitt Romney, president and chief executive
    officer, Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 winter Olympic
    games; Sandy Baldwin, president, Lloyd Ward, chief executive officer,
    and Dwight Bell, International Relations Committee cochair, U.S. Olympic
    Committee; and J. Bernard Machen, president, University of Utah.