A roar of approval that erupted seven years ago at Washington Square echoed Thursday as the Olympic flame burned a path through the host city of the 2002 Winter Games that begin today.
Some 50,000 people gathered at the Salt Lake City-County Building late Thursday to cheer the torch's arrival and the lighting of a caldron there. The crowd was reminiscent of the thousands, who in June 1995, gathered at the same spot to celebrate the announcement that Salt Lake City would host the 2002 Winter Games.
The flame's Thursday night resting spot is less than two miles from what will be its home for the next two weeks — the caldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium, which will be lit during tonight's opening ceremonies.
The final four torchbearers Thursday were wildly popular with the crowd — figure skating gold-medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, Jazz star and gold-medalist John Stockton, alpine skiing silver medalist Steve Mahre and five-time gold-medal Paralympian Chris Waddell. Sitting in his wheelchair, Waddell lit the caldron. Afterward, the crowd chanted, "USA. USA."
Waddell was clearly thrilled with his role in the relay. "It was so cool. . . . It's absolutely amazing to sort of be the custodian of the Olympic flame and all that it embodies for a brief moment."
Before the flame's arrival, IOC President Jacques Rogge addressed the crowd. His comments were brief but significant. "The Olympic flame has finally arrived here in the new Olympic city," Rogge said. "Let the Games begin."
Salt Lake Organizing Committee President Mitt Romney briefly addressed the crowd. "We can't wait for the Games to be here," he said.
Romney said the torch relay, which began Dec. 4 in Atlanta, brought out the spirit of America. "Now we have the spirit of Utah, and the world will be watching all of us," he said.
The torch relay won't make a beeline for the stadium today. An 85-mile serpentine route through Salt Lake and Davis Counties today will eventually bring the flame to the opening ceremonies. Olympic organizers are keeping mum on who will light the caldron near the end of tonight's extravaganza.
"The element of surprise is really a key," said Don Mischer, opening ceremonies producer.
Thursday, the Olympic flame finally entered the Salt Lake Valley for the first time, touching off a celebration that would stretch from its debut in This Is the Place Heritage Park at the mouth of Emigration Canyon to downtown Salt Lake City.
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed the Olympic torch to each other on the steps of the church administration building on South Temple to the delight of hundreds of spectators. All three wore black Salt Lake 2002 parkas.
Elder Robert D. Hales, dressed in a white torchbearer uniform, delivered the flame through a sea of spectators to President James E. Faust who handed it President Thomas S. Monson who turned it over to President Gordon B. Hinckley. With a broad smile, he hoisted the sliver-and-glass vessel and said, "Hi."
In brief remarks, President Hinckley paid tribute to Salt Lake City, the state of Utah "whose party this is," the United States and the world. "And most of all, we salute the athletes who will join in a great contest of excellence."
President Hinckley then said, "All in favor, raise your hands and salute them." The crowd roared its affirmation with arms held high.
"All right then. Now the torch will go on," he said before igniting a torch held by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a leukemia survivor who took the flame to State Street.
Salt Lake's flame began its trek to Utah on Nov. 19 when rays from the sun kindled a fire in an ancient ritual in Olympia, Greece. During the 13,500-mile relay through the United States, some 11,500 people carried the torch through 46 states. The Utah relay began at sunrise Monday morning under Delicate Arch.
It would be Days of '47 president Alan Layton who had the honor of carrying the flame into Salt Lake Valley for the first time while being driven in a horse-drawn carriage — not quite the rugged covered wagons that first entered the valley when the first Mormon pioneers arrived. All of Layton's ancestors, except one, made the trip through Emigration Canyon.
James Arrington, dressed as pioneer-era church President Brigham Young, officially welcomed the flame with a few words for the masses. "This is the right place," he said. "It's just that the world has finally discovered it and has finally come here."
After winding its way through the University of Utah, home to the Olympic Village, then through the Avenues, the torch emerged from the Utah State Capitol in the hands of four-time Olympian and bronze medalist in the discus throw L. Jay Silvester, a late addition to the relay. He passed the flame to Marion and Erma Winn, who have been married for 77 years. The two lit the Capitol's caldron to the cheers of a cold but enthusiastic crowd.
"I sat in the (opening ceremonies) dress rehearsal last night, this is nothing," said Bountiful resident Amy Barnett of the cold.
Well-known Utah resident Stein Eriksen, who won gold in the 1952 Games in the slalom, then ignited his torch, signaling the lighting of the 160-foot diameter Olympic Rings display on the side of Twin Peaks, overlooking Salt Lake City. The icon will purportedly be seen from as far as 20 miles away and will be lighted each night throughout the Games.
Amy Evans, 36, of Salt Lake City, waited for hours at Abravanel Hall because she said she heard someone famous was going to run the torch. And actually two did — American Ballet Theater dancer Judith Jamison and TV producer Norman Lear.
Before reaching its final destination last night, the torch relay's impact would be felt through five counties, over the streets of Henefer and eventually in Midway, where the flame hopped a train.
Joe Ruganis, 85, watched the flame go through Midway and met it again in Heber City. In Midway, a runner let him touch the torch.
"It just sent shivers down my spine," he said. "This is my biggest thrill. In my whole lifetime, this is one of my big moments. I'll never forget this moment."
In a rush of good will, Ruganis gave an Olympic flag he was holding to Parker, 8, the daughter of Deidre Henry, who would take the flame from the rails to the street again.
Waiting for a glimpse of history in Park City was Kathy Mimlitz and her family, literally sitting on Main Street, having lunch amid hundreds of onlookers and dozens of TV cameras.
In this quasi-Hollywood setting, a down-to-earth, energetic Donna Page powered up her "phony feet" to meet up with her husband Dick. Both of them ran the torch.
Donna Page lost her feet and most of her fingers from a bacterial infection. Her life before the illness and the way she has handled a speedy recovery landed her in the Olympic spotlight.
"Everyone leans on her, including myself," her husband said. "She's like a ray of sunshine when I wake up in the morning."
His wife describes herself as having a Pollyana-ish attitude toward life. When asked if she ever has a miserable day because of her condition, she replies, "I would never waste a whole day being miserable.
"When I wake up in the morning, I'm just happy to start the day. I've always been that way."
Contributing: Jeff Oliver, Elizabeth White
E-mail: romboy@desnews.com