With less than two weeks to go before the 2002 Winter Olympic Games begin, Salt Lake City, Utah, is already wrapped in Olympic glory. A thick blanket of snow has settled on the Wasatch mountains, miles of colorful banners have been unfurled, and gigantic 60-foot-high portraits of Olympians sparkle on building walls. On February 8, when the world's finest athletes from an expected 85 countries march into Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremonies, Salt Lake City will be ready.
Winter Chills and Thrills
The modern Olympic Games began in 1896 with the purpose of promoting peace and understanding between the nations of the world. In the early years, figure skating and ice hockey were a part of the Summer Games. It took 28 years for the Winter Games to receive their own showcase. When the Winter Olympics debuted in 1924, only 294 athletes participated. In Salt Lake City, more than 2,400 will compete.
With more than 15 sports and 166 events, spectators—and an estimated 3.5 billion television viewers worldwide—will be treated to plenty of thrills and chills. There are also a few new events. The unusual sport of skeleton, in which athletes barrel down an icy, curved course head-first, returns to the Olympics for the first time in more than 50 years. For the first time ever, women are competing in bobsledding. Teams of two riders work together, pushing the sled at the top of the run and then jumping aboard as it gathers speed.
Home Advantage for the U.S.
With American athletes having the home advantage, this could be a golden Winter Olympics for the United States. The most medals the U.S. has ever won at a Winter Olympics is 13, but hopes are high for more this year. "This is our showcase opportunity," says U.S. Olympic Committee President Sandra Baldwin. "We've invested a lot in our winter sports."
She predicts that American athletes will do well in front of crowds energized with patriotic fever. The women's hockey team, which is undefeated in exhibition games, is expected to take home the gold. Experts predict there will be at least a couple of figure skating medals as well. Speedy Apolo Ohno, the defending World Cup champion in speed skating, could zip away with a medal. Snowboarders Shannon Dunn and Tricia Burns are favored to win medals as well.
Despite the fierce competition of the Games, Olympic organizers want participants to relax and get to know their fellow athletes. Organizers spent $120 million to create an Olympic Village that will be home to more than 3,500 athletes and officials. The Village has a 24-hour cafeteria, dry cleaners, a bank, post office, Internet cafe, beauty salon, coffeehouse, photo shops, a dance club and movie theater.
Athletes will be sharing University of Utah dorm rooms during their stay in Salt Lake City. U.S. hockey player Tricia Dunn says staying in the Village is one of the most fun aspects of the Olympics. "At the [last Winter] Olympics in Nagano, the first thing we saw was a hair salon, so of course we all had to get haircuts!" she recalls.
Safety First
After the September 11 attacks on America, some people thought there would be no Olympics this year. But organizers refused to postpone the Games. "The purpose of the Olympics is to bring the world together to heal," says Mitt Romney, head of the Salt Lake Olympic Committee.
The committee has worked hard to ensure that everyone at the Winter Games will feel safe. This is the most protected and patrolled Olympics ever. More than 16,000 security personnel, including some from federal and state agencies, will keep watch on Salt Lake City. "It will be the safest place in the world," says Tom Ridge, the director of Homeland Security.
With all the safety measures, Olympians should be free to focus on the excitement of competition. And audiences can enjoy the shows of speed, grace and courage that will surely keep them on the icy edge!
By the Numbers
How much? How many? How high? Here's how it all adds up in Salt Lake City.
A Look at Salt Lake City
State Capital. Salt Lake City is Utah's largest city. It has been the capital since Utah became a state in 1896.
History. Salt Lake City was founded on July 24, 1847, by a small group of pioneers belonging to the Mormon religion. The Gold Rush of 1849 contributed greatly to the city's early growth.
Population. 181,743 residents. The city's population doubles on weekdays as people travel to jobs in the city.
Area. 111 square miles
Location. The city lies in a mountain valley 4,330 feet above sea level.
Heavy Medals
Athletes put sweat and tears into winning a medal. The firm O.C. Tanner poured metals mined in Utah, 20 hours of labor and Olympic symbols into each of the Games' 717 medals. Shaped like Utah river rocks, the prizes are the first to vary by sport. The gold medal is made of silver plated in gold. At 1.25 pounds, it is the heaviest in Olympic history.