Sept. 11 will be part of 2002 Winter Games opener, but not televised

<br>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ Olympic organizers will honor Sept. 11 survivors and victims during the 2002 Winter Games' opening ceremonies but not as part of the internationally televised program. <br><br>A

Monday, December 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ Olympic organizers will honor Sept. 11 survivors and victims during the 2002 Winter Games' opening ceremonies but not as part of the internationally televised program.

A tribute will occur in the hour before the show's start, organizers say.

``It's not designed to be a patriotic, American display,'' said Salt Lake Organizing Committee president Mitt Romney said. ``While the experience of 9/11 certainly impacts all of us, there should not be a direct tribute in the ceremony itself.''

The Committee may incorporate the American flag retrieved from the World Trade Center rubble into the Feb. 8 event.

Romney said he heard the Los Angeles and Atlanta Summer Games were criticized for being ``so American.''

While Romney said he personally found the Los Angeles event fabulous, ``around the world it was like, 'Boy, those Americans, always beating their chests.'''

He wants to avoid a jingoistic tone next year.

``This not our time to talk about how great America is and have our military parade up and down the field and so forth,'' Romney said.