Stars and Stripes Forever

The torn and tattered flag rescued from the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York caused the first wrangle of the Salt Lake City Games. The U.S. Olympic Committee suggested that the banner should lead the American team into the stadium but found itself under pressure from the I.O.C., which feared that such a gesture could set an undesirable precedent. Later recognizing the exceptional emotion that Americans still attach to the battered symbol, the I.O.C. agreed to allow the Stars and Stripes to be carried in the Opening Ceremony by an honor guard of eight American athletes representing different sports at the Games. The flag had already been displayed at the World Series and the Super Bowl.