One School, One Country

Each of the state's 800 schools can adopt a country participating in the 2002 games and learn about its culture, language and history. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee, teamed up with state and Salt Lake School district educators to develop a curriculum. Students learn about a foreign country... and when that country's athletes arrive in Utah, the kids become their fans.

Mitt Romney/SLOC President: "WE WANT TO HAVE THE OLYMPICS TOUCH THE HEARTS OF THE KIDS OF UTAH AND THE WAY WE THINK WE CAN BEST DO THAT IS TO HAVE EACH SCHOOL CHILD IDENTIFY WITH A PARTICULAR ATHLETE AND COUNTRY... GET TO KNOW THAT COUNTRY AND REALLY FALL IN LOVE WITH THE ATHLETES AND WELCOME THEM HERE."

Shelley Osterloh, Eyewitness News: "THE ONE SCHOOL, ONE COUNTRY PROGRAM ORIGINATED IN NAGANO JAPAN FOR THE 1998 OLYMPICS. VISITING UTAHNS LIKED THE PROGRAM SO MUCH, THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE IT FOR 2002."

Deedee Coradini, Mayor Salt Lake City: "AND THERE WERE CHILDREN THERE, CHEERING ON THE SLOVENIANS WAVING FLAGS AND IT MADE THOSE ATHLETES FEEL SO WONDERFUL AND SO WELCOME."

Some Utah kids say they are excited about the Olympics and the chance to cheer for foreign Olympic athletes.

Child: "WE CAN FEEL LIKE WE ARE PART OF IT BECAUSE WE ARE ROOTING FOR SOMEONE."

Child: " WELL ITS REALLY FUN CAUSE YOU GET TO EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT COUNTRY."

Teachers can access curriculum for the project through the Internet.

For the next 2 and half years..... Utah children will learn about foreign countries and the Olympic spirit.

And be ready to welcome the world.

To find out more on this program, please go to the following web sites: