For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 8, 2002
President Discusses Olympic Games
Remarks by the President in Photo Opportunity with President Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Administration Building
Salt Lake City, Utah
3:20 P.M. MST
MR. HINCKLEY: We're honored to have you
here. We very much appreciate that you've
come. We're all here, excited about the Olympics and we
think this is going to be a great thing for this area and for the
United States of America.
THE PRESIDENT: I agree. Thank you, sir.
MR. HINCKLEY: Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm looking forward to it. I
want to congratulate the great state of Utah for putting on the
Games. Its' going to be a -- I know it's been a lot of hard
work, and now we're here and I think the world is going to see why we
love the west so much here in the United States -- people can get
things done.
MR. HINCKLEY: We're happy that they're
here. We hope that all will go well, with confidence that
all will go well and that it will be a great season for all of us.
THE PRESIDENT: I might answer a few
questions. You got anything, Ron or Steve?
Q Mr. President, are you confident about the
security situation at the Games?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm so confident about the security
condition, I've come. (Laughter.) Fournier, you
got anything?
Q What did you talk about in there?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we just -- interestingly enough, we
talked about our family heritage, our lineage. The President
kindly gave us our family histories, genealogies that have been
researched here. And it's a wonderful gift.
And I said, before you tell me, are there any horse thieves in
there? (Laughter.)
MR. HINCKLEY: I want to tell you that he comes of good
stock. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: That's right. (Laughter.)
MR. HINCKLEY: And so does she.
Q Mr. President, did you give any advice to
the American athletes on carrying the flag from New York, the World
Trade Center flag?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I didn't.
Q And is there a danger that an event like
this takes on some political overtones, especially with the United
States engaged in a war on terrorism?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the event is going the --
the events are going to strike a proper balance between the patriotism
that we all feel here and the international flavor of the
Games. As I understand it, they've reached what appears to
be a reasonable compromise about the flag that flew over the World
Trade Center.
And I think it's important for all Americans, obviously, to root
hard for our athletes -- and recognize, however, this is an
international event. And one of the things that is important is that
there be world unity. And this is a nice place to have world
unity, during the competition. You know, an athlete wins,
people salute their flag and their anthem. And,
unfortunately, it's not going to be the American flag every single
event -- it'll be somebody else's country. But it gives us a
chance to cheer for others and celebrate with others, as well.
So it appears to me that the proper balance has been
struck. No question that tonight is going to be an emotional
moment, though. I mean, we're the host country and we're a
nation that has been under attack. And this proud country is
unified and strong and when they play the National Anthem I'm sure
there's going to be millions of Americans who are proud to hear the
Anthem played in a unique setting and in an historic moment.
Q Were you disappointed, sir, when you first
heard that the flag was not going to be allowed in the ceremonies?
THE PRESIDENT: I knew that there would be an
accommodation reached, I talked to some friends about it. So
I'm happy with the outcome of the accommodation. I think
it's a nice balance --
Q Did you weigh-in at all on it?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I didn't.
Q Mr. President, why was it important for
you to meet with President Hinckley today?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, first of all, this isn't my first
meeting. I was -- it's kind of --
MR. HINCKLEY: Reunion.
THE PRESIDENT: Reunion, right. Thank you, I
was searching for the word. (Laughter.)
I was here in the summer of '99. And first of all,
President Hinckley represents a great religion, he is a strong part of
the American scene and I wanted to come by and say hello and pay my
respects. And I'm glad I did.
Also, by the way, looking forward to hearing the Choir tonight, it
is going to be a magnificent moment; an incredibly touching experience
for all of us, particularly those of us who will be there live.
So thank you for tuning them up. (Laughter.)
MR. HINCKLEY: They're all ready to go.
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks.
MR. HINCKLEY: Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDENT: Good to see you, sir.
MR. HINCKLEY: Thank you; come again.
END 3:25
P.M. MST
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