There's at least one way to get past the $320 million worth of security at the Salt Lake Olympics ? e-mail.
As long as you don't send a threatening message.
In the first five days of the Games alone, more than 1 million e-mails ? many of them video clips ? were sent to Olympians from Gateway "CyberSpots," and millions more will be sent before the Games conclude Feb. 24.
Video e-mail clips are being recorded and sent by fans from Gateway's 325 stores across the nation. Text messages also can be sent via Gateway's Internet site at www.cyberspot2002.com.
In turn, Olympians are using 50 Gateway kiosks, powered by AT&T, inside the Olympic Village to keep in touch with families, friends and fans. Gateway is the computer hardware sponsor of the Olympics.
"At any given time there are athletes from dozens of countries using our PCs to receive communications from around the globe," said Greg Seremetis, senior manager of Gateway's Olympic sponsorship. "Most of them are far from home and it means a lot to them."
The popularity of e-mail at this year's Games reflects the increasing presence of the Internet in people's lives around the globe. At the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996 IBM offered a similar service, but back then traffic was measured in hundreds of thousands rather than millions. And there were no video clips.
But also reflecting the times, the Gateway CyberSpot includes a lengthy legal notice and disclaimer, including a note that "any content you send or receive . . . may be viewed by others, including the Salt Lake Olympic Committee."
And, of course, as with most celebrity mail, some e-mails never reach the Olympian personally. This reporter e-mailed several Olympians ? but hadn't received a reply as of deadline.
Because of sheer volume, Gateway said it can't guarantee an athlete will receive or reply to an e-mail. "An athlete may write back!" the company says optimistically in a note on the electronic e-mail form.
Gateway also reserves the right to monitor and remove any messages. Gateway especially noted that "offensive or threatening messages will not be tolerated."
Gateway naturally is hoping to drum up a little business by offering customers at its stores a chance to send video clips to their favorite athletes. Gateway was offering those who participated an Olympic lapel pin set while supplies lasted.
Nationally, video e-mails have been sent to the Olympians by such notables as former President Bill Clinton, actor Michael J. Fox and comedian Chris Tucker.
In his 55-second video clip, Clinton offered his best wishes to the athletes and told them it was their "turn to carry the torch." Fox hoped for a successful and peaceful Olympics, and a U.S.-Canada hockey gold-medal game.
Tucker congratulated the Olympians on their hard work and determination.
"You're the world's best," he said. "Now act like it ? win, win, win."
After the Games, Gateway will donate up to 4,500 PCs across the United States, with priority given to nonprofits and under-served communities.