Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 23, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke welcomes Olympic flame to Washington

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today welcomed the Olympic flame to Washington as it passed through Olympia on its way to Seattle and, eventually, Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

“Tradition has it that the torch is lit by the sun at Olympia, Greece,” said Locke. “From there it travels through cities and townships. Today the flame comes to Olympia, Washington.”

“The Olympic Games are more than a sporting event,” the governor said. “They serve as a reminder of the levels of excellence that humankind can rise to. Every four years the nations of the world set aside differences in politics, religion and culture. Those differences are harmonized by a pageantry of sport and celebration that for a few weeks holds the world together.”

The Olympic flame began its journey to Salt Lake City on Dec. 4, when Muhammad Ali lit the torch in Atlanta. By the time the torch reaches Utah and ignites the flame during the opening ceremonies on Feb. 8, the torch relay will have traveled through 46 states and 125 major cities and logged about 13,500 miles.

On its journey through Washington, the torch will be carried by 284 people chosen by the Salt Lake City Olympic Committee and the game’s two primary corporate sponsors.

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Related Links:
- 2002 Olympic Winter Games

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