U.S., Canadian hockey officials deny flag-stomping rumor

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Tuesday, February 26, 2002

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Members of the U.S. women's hockey team did not desecrate a Canadian flag at the Salt Lake City Olympics, American and Canadian hockey officials said Monday after a joint investigation.

Canada beat the United States 3-2 for the women's hockey gold medal on Feb. 21. After the game, Canadian players said they were angered that American players stomped on a flag in their locker room.

U.S players repeatedly and vehemently denied the rumor.

On Monday, USA Hockey, based in Colorado Springs, and the Canadian Hockey Association issued a joint statement saying U.S. players had committed no "acts of disrespect" against the flag.

"This is a case of false information being circulated by an unidentified third party," USA Hockey Executive Director Doug Palazzari said.

"There is no question there is a healthy rivalry between the two teams, but there is also great mutual respect."

Canadian Hockey Association President Bob Nicholson said a joint investigation showed the rumor was false.

"We congratulate the U.S. team on a tremendous season and look forward to continuing our great relationship with USA Hockey," Nicholson said.

- CROATION SENSATION: Thousands of people jammed Zagreb's main square Monday to welcome Croatian skier Janica Kostelic, who captured four medals -- including three golds -- at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

People skipped work and schools canceled classes as Croats rushed to embrace their 20-year-old skiing sensation. Prime Minister Ivica Racan greeted Kostelic at the airport and she was driven downtown in an open convertible.

The last time Croats were so euphoric was when tennis star Goran Ivanisevic won the Wimbledon tournament last summer.

Kostelic is the first Alpine skier to win four medals at a single Winter Olympics. Jean-Claude Killy and Toni Sailer are the only other Alpine skiers with three golds in one Olympics.

"I'm in awe. She's a miracle," said Fedja Zaric of Zagreb, who slept in Saturday after a party celebrating her countrywoman's success.

Croatia emerged from a civil war only 10 years old and the medals are the country's first ever in a Winter Games. She has inspired other Croats with her story.

The cash-strapped Kostelics had to travel around Europe to compete in junior races -- often sleeping in tents or in the car, living on sandwiches to save money for lift tickets.

President Stipe Mesic told Kostelic in a telegram: "You're simply the best! Your medals made Croatia the world's skiing superpower."

- TOUGHS IT OUT: Dorothy Hamill was slightly injured during a rehearsal a night earlier, but still skated during Sunday's closing ceremony.

Hamill fell and hit her chin and throat on a stage light Saturday night while skating into an artificial fog bank.

The 1976 gold medalist was examined at the University of Utah hospital and released.

- EXECUTIVE COURT: Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt entertained hundreds of business executives and government leaders during the Olympics, spending more than $1 million in public and private money.

Leavitt promoted the state through a temporary, nonprofit agency known as 2K2.

"We have hosted more than 300 venture capitalists, 50 to 60 world leaders, 600-plus corporate executives and many other top decision makers," governor spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour said. "We believe this has worked."

About half the money for the program came from the private sector.

Most of the entertaining was done at the Devereaux House across from the Delta Center, the figure skating and short-track speedskating venue.

The reception for President Bush on opening day of the Olympics drew 2,200 people, with sponsors and guests meeting Bush in the ornate Gold Room before the president's speech, Gochnour said.

- GAMES GO ON: The Winter Olympics are over but the Paralympics are coming to Salt Lake City.

The Paralympians will compete at the same world-class venues and live in the same athlete housing for their games March 7-16.

They also will use the same cauldron in Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium that U.S. hockey team members used to mark the Feb. 8 opening of the Winter Games.

"I think people sometimes think that the Paralympics are more what the Olympics used to be -- pure sport," said wheelchair racer and cross-country skier Candace Cable, who has competed in Paralympics since 1984.

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