[link|http://sport.guardian.co.uk/olympics/story/0,10308,650452,00.html|IOC says the real problem is America]

Excerpts:

The IOC is embarrassed that the very public presence of the 15,000 police and military is projecting a tense and uncomfortable atmosphere for an event that, since its first staging in 1924, has been a sedate, friendly festival. There are more American security personnel here than in Afghanistan and three times as many as were present at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles during the cold war with the Soviet Union...

The tone was set during the opening ceremony when President Bush broke with protocol by opening the games from a position among a group of US athletes. He then departed from the Olympic charter when he put the words "On behalf of a proud, determined and grateful nation", in front of the official line, "I declare open the Games of Salt Lake City..."

I say:

As if they haven't got other things to be embarrassed about. They're just trying to deflect from their problem with corrupt judges. (And it won't work, neither!) Screw the Olympic charter, and the IOC's wounded pride. There are vastly more important things in this world.

These people are pathetic. And to think Utah bribed them to come.