SALT LAKE CITY — During news interviews today, President Gordon B. Hinckley praised the efforts and skills of volunteers who helped make the 2002 Winter Games a success. "What a great resource we had in the language ability in so many of our people who had served missions abroad in many countries and speak with ease in the language of the people with an appreciation for their culture," he said.
The Church president said the Church kept its promise to avoid the appearance of making the Olympics the "Mormon Games," as some news media had predicted. He replied, "We did just the opposite."
President Hinckley responded also to questions about how visitors felt about the Church and its people before and after their visit to Salt Lake City. He said he enjoyed his visit to the snowboard halfpipe competition.
To the question of whether he feels "let down" as some do now that the games have ended, he replied, "I'm glad it's behind us, that it went so well, and I'm looking forward to new opportunities." The Church president said he is now focusing on a general conference in April and the dedication of a new temple in Arizona.