SALT LAKE CITY — Mitt Romney returned to Salt Lake City on Saturday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Winter Games he helped lead, but the GOP presidential candidate came under attack for urging the federal government to provide big bucks for Olympic expenses.

Romney was hired to lead the Salt Lake Olympic Committee after a bribery scandal threatened the games.

In brief remarks to Olympic staff and volunteers Saturday, Romney highlighted his own efforts to cut costs at the games and was careful to highlight the accomplishments of those who worked for him. He didn't mention his presidential run.

Romney said he cut millions from the budget to decorate the city and argued that some of the Salt Lake venues cost much less than they had in other cities that had hosted winter games.

Romney, who has sometimes been accused of taking too much personal credit for saving the games when many others contributed, was careful to acknowledge the support he received.

"I just want to say thanks to all those that lit the fire within. The accounting team, the legal team," Romney said, referring to the games' theme song, "Light the Fire Within," and rattling off the groups he had left off his list of people to thank.

See the original post:
Romney cites Salt Lake Olympics success, but his rivals are leery