Skating with the stars

MOST people can't even get tickets to the Olympic figure-skating events, but one group of kids will be right out there on the ice at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. They're the "flower sweepers." It's their job to pick up all the flowers and stuffed animals that people in the audience throw onto the ice after a favorite competitor has skated.

"Not many kids ever get to go out on the ice at an Olympics," says 11-year-old Jeremy Hansen. "I had to practice really hard." Jeremy has been skating for two years and practices three times a week. He was one of 35 young skaters selected as flower sweepers for the Winter Games in Salt Lake City. (You may glimpse sweepers at work during the Men's Short Program on TV tonight.)

Sweepers have to be good skaters, and they have to be fast. They only have two minutes between competitions to clear the ice for the next skater.

Sixty boys and girls tried out for the flower-sweeper positions in September. They had to meet several requirements just to take the test. "We wanted the sweepers to be from Utah," says Katie Clifford. She's the sports coordinator for short-track and figure skating for the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee. The youngsters also had to demonstrate a certain level of skating proficiency by passing a standard qualifications test.

Plus they had to be a member of a local skating club, and they had to write an essay about their favorite figure skater. Skaters between 8 and 12 were eligible.

During the final test, the 60 skaters had to go out on the ice and pick up items similar to those that are thrown during competitions. According to Ms. Clifford, that can include flowers, stuffed animals, T-shirts, even bags of candy.

At one skating event, an entire pizza (in a box) was thrown to a skater known to enjoy pizza. And skater Todd Eldredge, who collects Bugs Bunny memorabilia, was once thrown a stuffed Bugs Bunny nearly four feet tall.

To a sweeper, speed is important. So is a good eye. Sweepers must spot and retrieve anything that might have fallen off the skater's costume. A single sequin could trip up the next competitor if it isn't removed. Six judges observed how well the young skaters could stop quickly, turn cleanly, and pick up items gracefully. They had to skate forward and backward and through a course of cones.

After the test, the names of the skaters who passed were put into a hat. Thirty-five names were drawn to fill the flower-sweeper squad. The sweepers were put into groups of seven and assigned to two of the skating competitions.

Jeremy was assigned to the pairs freestyle (last night) and the ladies short program (Feb. 19). Ten-year-old Holly Smith was assigned to the ice-dancing freestyle (Feb. 18) and the men's short program (tonight). Holly has been skating for five years and practices four times a week. She has already won two local competitions and would like to be in the Olympics herself someday. But she won't be allowed to skate with the competitors or even say hello to them during this year's Games.

"We can't talk to the skaters or try to get their autographs or anything," Holly says. (Her favorite skater is Tara Lipinski.) Sweepers are not to distract competitors in any way, and everything they pick up is handed to the skaters' coaches. The skaters get them later. A box is put near the ice so skaters can donate any items to a local hospital.

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