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Remembering the 2002 Olympic Winter Games

The crowds have departed. The athletes have taken their medals home. The volunteers have hung up their uniforms. The 2002 Olympic Winter Games are now a part of history. Yet, that fire that was lit within continues to burn. The Games were not just the largest event ever held in Utah. They were also a powerful symbol of what can happen when differences can be set aside. They were the seminal healing event following the horrors of September 11. The 2002 Olympic Winter Games were, as IOC President Jacques Rogge said, "superb." 

We saw Jim Shea, Vonetta Flowers, Tristan Gale, Sarah Hughes, Derek Parra, and Apolo Ohno struggle and triumph. Some four billion television viewers watched the Games and 1.6 million tickets were sold. There were 70,000 visitors to the Olympic corridor a day, and the 15,000-seat grandstands at the venues routinely filled to capacity. The Games were the best attended, most watched, and most secure in history. 

The Excitement Continues

Even though the Games are over, visitors and athletes have the opportunity to try out the same courses used by Olympic athletes. The Utah Athletic Foundation manages former Games venues such as Soldier Hollow, the Utah Olympic Oval, and the Utah Olympic Park. The world's best athletes still come to Utah for training and competition. For example, Deer Valley Resort hosted the 2003 World Freestyle Championships. The "world's fastest ice" at Utah Olympic Oval hosted the 2003 Short-track Speedskating World Cup. The venues benefit from an Olympic Legacy Fund that assures their continued use far into the future.

Every year in February the community hosts an Olympic Anniversary Celebration-Utah Winterfest in memory and celebration of the 2002 Games. It is a chance for residents and visitors to rekindle some of the Olympic fun. The Salt Lake Chamber is also helping to create Olympic Legacy sites to keep the memories alive. 

Exposure and Economic Benefits

Utah is positioned to capitalize on the Games. The Games also brought the Wasatch Front a new freeway, a light-rail line, several winter sports venues, and a lot of free publicity. International media exposure put the Salt Lake area at the top of winter sports lovers' minds. Some resorts have seen an increase of 300 percent in bookings from the 2001-02 ski season. Utah Governor Mike Leavitt launched a 1000-Day Economic Plan on February 4, 2002 to leverage the exposure the Games gave Utah. Trade missions are going to more than 20 domestic and international cities. More people are recognizing Utah as a center for technology investment, employment, entrepreneurship, and unsurpassed lifestyle. 

Now that the Games are over, now that we are basking in the warm glow of memories, many Utahns wish we could do it all again. The first time took over 30 years of bid campaigns, preparation, and anticipation. In any case, the world is always welcome here.