Summarized by Michael Nielsen

SLOC Struggles with Liquor Availability Issue

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- With less than 550 days before the Olympics, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee is postponing a decision to sell alcoholic beverages at any Olympic events. Although games held at other Olympic sites have sold beer from kiosks, it is unclear how long it would take to get approval to sell alcohol at Utah's games.

Lawyers have suggested several ways to sell beer legally during the games, but Utah's byzantine liquor laws do not make sales easy. The laws have been strongly influenced by the dominant LDS church. Moreoever, the church owns the parking lot where the Medals Plaza will be situated. According to Dale Bills, LDS church spokesman, "Since we've received no plan from SLOC that includes serving alcohol at the Medals Plaza, the matter has not been discussed."

Source:

SLOC Still Ponders Big Question: Drink Up?
Salt Lake Tribune 15Aug00 N6
By Kirsten Stewart: Salt Lake Tribune