HUNGARY: SALT LAKE CITY USA CHOSEN TO HOST WINTER OLYMPICS 2002 (2)

Описание: (16 Jun 1995) English/Nat

Salt Lake City was chosen Friday to host the Winter Olympics in 2002.

Thousands of celebrants whooped and hollered as the city's 29-year courtship of the Winter Games ended in joy after four failed bids.

Salt Lake City,Utah, which calls itself "The Crossroads of the West", is the first US city to host the Winter Olympics since Lake Placid's 1980 Games.

The 92 members of the International Olympic Committee voted Friday at their meeting in Budapest, Hungary.

Four finalists were in the running to host the games: Salt Lake City, Sweden's Ostersund, Quebec and the Swiss city of Sion.

The meeting hall was quiet as International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch made the announcement.

SOUNDBITE:
"In 2002 to the city of Salt Lake City."
SUPER CAPTION: Juan Antonio Samaranch - IOC president

But quiet soon turned to whoops of joy from the Utah delegation.

SOUNDBITE:

Ecstatic, feelings of we made it, we did it. I've been involved in this for the last six years. So I've reached the summit of Mt. Everest. It's been a tough, long climb with some great, happy moments, some sad moments. But we made the summit so I'm thrilled.
SUPER CAPTION: Deedee Corradine, Salt Lake City mayor

This was the fifth Olympic bid by Salt Lake City since 1966 so they'd known disappointment before.

SOUNDBITE:

I wasn't sure I heard it. But that wasn't as bad as after they did and I got up to sign the contract and my hands were shaking so bad I had to set them on the table.
SUPER CAPTION: Bid committee chief Tom Welch

The bid committee had repeatedly stressed its long-term commitment to the Olympics and its readiness to host them.

The city argued it was the best choice to host the games since many of the facilities have already been built.

It said that that meant athletes whose countries can't afford top quality sites can start their training now.

Among the celebrants was Cynthia Ruez, a 10-year-old figure skater from Utah who dreams of one day competing in the Olympics.

SOUNDBITE:

Wow, this is great, this is fabulous. We did it, we did it all together
SUPER CAPTION: Cynthia Ruez, figure skater

Utah governor Mike Leavitt was overjoyed at the decision. He'd said before the good news came out that it was unlikely the state would make a sixth attempt at winning the games.

SOUNDBITE:

All I remember is both hands spontaneously shooting into the air and bedlam breaking out around me and it's a moment I will never forget
SUPER CAPTION: Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt.

Now the delegation returns home to the Crossroads of the West to prepare for the fun and games.

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