Dozens of postal inspectors will go to Utah in February to screen letters and packages addressed to Olympic athletes, officials and the media. Mail service could be shut down at a moment’s notice during the Feb. 8-24 Olympics. The Olympic Village and media center will have their own zip codes during the Winter Games, and their mail will be separated from Utah’s general mail.
Salt Lake’s 30,000 Olympic volunteers (drivers, hosts, ushers, ticket-takers, and parking-lot attendants) will undergo 12 to 40-hours of training as they prepare for the Feb. 8-24 Salt Lake Winter Games. Shari Hubbert demonstrates the friendly stance, keeping her arms at her side, never crossed. She says volunteers never should point a finger while giving directions. It’s considered rude in some cultures. As part of the training, Hubbert picks volunteers to act as distressed visitors who have lost cameras or tickets, or who are cold or cranky. Volunteers can look under chairs for lost belongings, or escort visitors to a supervisor or warm place, or even offer their own warm jacket. Translators will be at every Olympic venue, and visitors who speak more obscure languages can find help by cell phone linkups. Utah’s volunteers speak more than 60 languages. Because twice the number of volunteers needed for the Games signed up, many are being turned away and some aren’t getting the jobs of their choice.
And finally, a special National Guard unit will be sent to the Winter Olympics in case of terrorist attacks. The 22 weapons and medical specialists are trained to respond to biological, chemical or nuclear attacks. They will travel to Salt Lake City in February. The National Guard team will stay at Camp Williams near Salt Lake City during the Feb. 8-24 Games.
