Here on February 13, 1980, Vice President of the United States Walter F. Mondale opened the XIII Winter Olympic Games, and here the sacred Olympic Flame was brought from Olympia, Greece, to shed its light for twelve days on the quadrennial renewal of the ancient Olympic spirit of excellence, brotherhood, and peace. This tower was erected to hold that flame and stands as an everlasting monument to the 1282 Olympians from 37 nations who took part in these Olympic Games.