Olympic games begin with enthusiasm, few complications

SALT LAKE CITY -- They began with a solemn tribute to a tattered flag, then quickly turned to the business of fun. Huge crowds cheered, the home team's athletes soared and Americans watched as never before.\nThe Olympics opened to rave reviews on a weekend where even the weather cooperated, with skies clearing to reveal a picturesque scene of snowy mountains towering over the city's Mormon Temple.\nA $310-million security plan worked almost flawlessly, people partied in the streets and American athletes quickly grabbed a gold and two silver medals in their bid to make this America's Games.\nEven some traffic snarls and a disappointing run on the slopes for an American ski-hopeful couldn't spoil an opening few days that were more spectacular than even the proudest Olympic boosters had hoped.\n"I thought it would be a great big mess. I had my ifs, ands and buts," said Charles Adams of Provo, Utah, his four grandchildren in tow on a downtown street. "It's been great."\nThere was even dancing and drinking, much to the delight of visitors who worried that Salt Lake City would be too staid and its liquor laws too complex.\nAn Olympics that was once mired in scandal and financial turmoil made its debut on time and on budget before a state eager to show the world its good side.\nUtah residents grew increasingly excited in the days before the games, and supermarket kiosks were crowded just before the opening ceremony with $420,000 worth of tickets sold Friday alone.\nThere was little of the jingoism that International Olympic Committee officials had worried so much about. Fans cheered athletes from all countries, though they reserved the most boisterous shouts for Americans.\nWhile athletes were skiing in the nearby mountains and setting new records at the slick speedskating oval, the real action was downtown, where fans jammed Olympic souvenir stores.\nStreets normally deserted on a Sunday were packed with people enjoying the Olympic atmosphere.