Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY – First comes the United States against Canada in a tantalizing hockey final. Then it’s Kristi Yamaguchi skating on a frozen stage while KISS bangs out nostalgic heavy metal.
What a way to turn off the torch!
“This is a party for the athletes and the world that could only happen at the Olympics,” closing ceremony producer Don Mischer said Saturday.
The Salt Lake City Olympics wrap up in style today, capping 17 days of grand athletic moments and grand judging disputes.
Hockey is one of two medal events on the last day, along with the women’s 30-kilometer classical race in cross-country skiing. Then they’ll cue up the music at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium for the closing ceremony.
Organizers promise an extravaganza, and they’ve got enough performers and fireworks to back it up.
The 2,500 athletes will march in with whomever they like, rather than by nations as they do at the opening ceremony. ‘N Sync will sing the national anthem, setting the tone for a glorious going-away party.
“The opening is more ceremonial, more dignified, more stately,” Mischer said. “The closing is more of a celebration. There will be a lot more fun things that we put out on the ice.”
Get ready to see Yamaguchi doing toe loops and salchows to the strains of facepaint-and-fire supergroup KISS. Dorothy Hamill will skate while Harry Connick Jr. sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Other performers include Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, Gloria Estefan and broadway dancer Savion Glover. The musical mix includes jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, rock-and-roll and American standards.
“We want to entertain the athletes,” Mischer said. “We’re directing the show toward them, but it will also be a party to entertain the world.”
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