(5/14/99)
The Olympics is about sporting competition.
But hosting the Olympics is about money. And, it takes a lot of it.
Today, Salt Lake organizers unvieled the latest in what they hope becomes a long line of financial sponsors and supporters.
News specialist Richard Piatt reports.
They're setting up for a big party to celebrate an even bigger party
in 2002.
The Triad Center is where the world will see for the first time the mascots for the 2002 Winter Games.
A special clock, counting down the 1,000 days to the opening ceremonies will also be unvieled.
For now, both are under wraps ... a surprize for the public to be revealed Saturday night.
By contrast, Salt Lake's Olympic Committee did not wait to unveil another important event-- new sponsors and suppliers for the Salt Lake Games.
SLOC President, Mitt Romney said, "It's a real boost emotionally. And I think it's a boost symbolically for the entire country."
One by one, the committee unveiled Utah-based supporters:
Marker Limited, which will be the official outfitter.
Value-- $20-million.
Mitt Romney tried on an embroidered one of their jackets for size.
O.C. Tanner announced it will supply all Olympic medals for the 2002 winter games.
Value-- $5 milllion.
It's with a sense of pride that Chair Carolyn Tanner Irish says she's putting the past in the past.
"They're coming, they're coming to Utah. We had a little mud on our face, but we washed it off, said we're sorry, and now we're going forward," she says.
Likewise, Questar's President and CEO offered it's support.
Value-- another $5-million.
Don Cash, Questar President and CEO said, "The games are coming. You can either stick your head in the sand, or you can stand up and participate and help these things be a success."
In addition, AT&T renewed it's considerable support with words, money, and 2002 free wireless minutes for Romney.
