...the gold medal winning 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey
team captain, Mike Eruzione. In dramatic style the torch was
held high as Eruzione beckoned to each side and members
of the team emerged from the wings. As a team they lit
the cauldron.
At the finale of the Opening Ceremonies a skater with
flames shooting from his skates sped across the ice to
ignite an Olympic rings pattern. A fitting stunt as the
theme of these 2002 Olympic Winter Games is "light the
fire within." Although very cold, people were energized by
the whole evening and truly ready to "Let the Games
begin!"