GAMES TALK

As the tattered American flag rescued from the rubble of the World Trade Center entered the stadium, a respectful hush fell over the crowd at the opening ceremony Friday for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Instinctively, with no external prompting, the 55,000 on hand put celebration aside in silent homage not just to one nation’s grief but to the indomitable human spirit.

A hush did not, however, fall over two. NBC commentators Katie Couric and Bob Costas continued their mindless jabbering. Mr. Costas chose this profoundly solemn moment to remind viewers, for the hundredth time that evening, that it was cold outside.

This after NBC interrupted the colorful and spirited commemoration of world unity repeatedly for commercials touting the most violent movies in which the network has a financial interest and for promos for its “Fear Factor,” perhaps the most degrading show in the history of television.

Such a wretched display was hardly surprising, given that the Salt Lake City Olympics were born of international bribery, thrived upon a $1.5 billion raid on American taxpayers and now have reached maturity with price-gouging on everything from lodging to warm socks that is fast becoming legendary. It is a miracle that, through it all, the vast majority of athletes remain as earnest as ever, the fans sincerely appreciative of their efforts.

One of the most remarkable things about the Olympics may be how, once money is removed from the equation and the self-aggrandizing movers and shakers step aside, people still get what it’s all about. President Bush certainly gets it – his decision to deliver the brief words officially opening the Games not from an elevated podium above the crowd but from ground level amid the athletes was welcome.

The Olympics have long been an exercise in wishful thinking. For two weeks every two years – winter and summer – the world sets its political differences aside and creates a utopia based upon commonality. These Games, as the pro-American sentiments expressed by many foreign athletes during the opening parade suggest, promise to set a new standard in that regard. Still, the question remains: How long can this noble dream of Olympic athletes and fans outpace the galloping greed and callousness of Olympic organizers and broadcasters? Even indomitableness may have its limits.