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Shelley Osterloh reportingThe 20th Winter Games are officially under way in Italy.
The Opening Ceremonies were full of spectacle, tradition, history, and of course, Olympic athletes.
Team USA chose Utah speedskater Chris Witty to lead them all and carry the flag.
Even before the athletes entered, Chris Witty says Americans' were feeling the pride and excitement of the night.
Chris Witty, US Flag Bearer: "We actually had a lot of fun right in the tunnel, because everybody started cheering and they had some techno music, and I got the flag going and everybody was having fun before we walked in.
Five time Olympian Chris Witty was selected by her teammates to be the flag bearer; an honor respected by athletes from other countries as well. Many stopped to congratulate her.
Chris Witty, US Flag Bearer: "They are sort of appointed flag bearers, where as our athletes vote, which is a different system. So I think they kind of know what an honor it is to carry the American flag.
While it is always a source of pride to represent the USA, Witty she was proud of how the whole team looked.
Shelley: "What do you think of the duds?"
Chris Witty: "I like this. I thought we did good with our uniforms. There were some uniforms... I don't know.."
And despite the great seats TEAM USA had right in the middle of it all, she want to see it like most of the world did.
Chris Witty:: I actually want to see it on TV... I think I'll have a complete different perspective on everything.
Its estimated that about 2- Billion people watch the event on TV. Behind the scenes, 61-thousand volunteers helped stage the event.
The cost of both opening and closing ceremonies: 34 Million dollars.
