Salt Lake City ? The tattered American flag recovered from the rubble at ground zero will be carried at the Winter Olympics’ opening ceremony Friday night in a compromise of patriotism and protocol.

A group of U.S. athletes, New York City firefighters and Port Authority police will be allowed to take the flag into the ceremony in a “solemn, dignified entrance,” the International Olympic Committee said Wednesday, reversing an earlier decision.

Barring bad weather, the delicate banner will then be raised beside the Olympic flame at Rice-Eccles Stadium while “The Star-Spangled Banner” is played.

The flag will not be part of the main parade of athletes during the opening ceremony and instead will be carried in after all teams have entered the stadium.

Short-track speedskater Amy Peterson will open her fifth Winter Olympics by carrying the U.S. flag into the opening ceremony.