[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 7 (Monday, February 18, 2002)]
[Page 210]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.
    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 officer, and Dwight 
Bell, cochair, International Relations Committee, U.S. Olympic 
Committee; and J. Bernard Machen, president, University of Utah. This 
item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate issue.