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Take in Games' experience

Deseret News editorial

      The 2002 Winter Games end in less than a week. Utahns should take advantage of these waning days to experience the Games' atmosphere, even if they don't have Olympic event tickets.
      This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so don't miss out. Go ahead, take a shuttle downtown. If you insist, drive downtown. While Games organizers discourage the practice, there is reasonably priced parking available. For that matter, patronize a restaurant. All local merchants would appreciate the business.
      Games organizers and Salt Lake City officials spent months encouraging businesses to alter work schedules and encourage widespread use of mass transit. Utahns being Utahns, they complied with the requests.
      Now, downtown Salt Lake City is, perhaps, too quiet. Getting around the downtown area has become a bit more cumbersome, but it's far from impossible. In fact, some Salt Lake businesses say earlier media reports of street closures and a perceived shortage of downtown parking have kept home people who ordinarily patronize downtown businesses. According to an Associated Press report, restaurants and retailers in a wide radius around downtown are reporting slumping sales.
      Again, there's a lot to do in downtown Salt Lake City. Much of it is free, although security checks are required at many locations. There are several stages featuring musicians, dancers and other entertainers. There are also a number of Games-related cultural exhibits downtown and on the University of Utah campus. Go to www.saltlake2002.com for the details.
      There are also a number of commercial exhibits near the venues that offer a wide range of entertainment.
      Utahns would be remiss not to take in the Games atmosphere. Take a stroll down Main Street or 300 South and you will frequently encounter representatives of the various delegations. You'll hear many different languages spoken. Many countries have hospitality houses that are open to the public. Take this rare opportunity to learn a bit more about our global neighbors.
      When the Winter Games and Paralympics end, Utah will return to its quiet self. By then, Utahns will probably need a respite from the activity and confusion. But while the world visits, Utahns owe it to themselves and their children to take part in the festivities.