For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 8, 2002
President Bush to Olympic Athletes: "Let's Roll"
President Speaks to Olympic Athletes
HPER Complex
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
5:10 P.M. MST
THE PRESIDENT: 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. Thank you all for
coming. (Applause.)
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. (Applause.)
END 5:13 P.M. MST
|