We invited Deseret News readers to share their recollections of the 2002 Winter Games. Some are humorous, others are touching, all are memorable.
I was a Child of Light in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. The thing that I remember most are the long, cold practices and the exciting feeling when I realized that I had the opportunity to be a Child of Light. We would gather in a big white tent and there would be movies on and music. It was really fun to be in there. The meals they gave us weren't very good so I would usually bring my own food!
When I was dancing in the opening ceremony it was very fun. At the end of our dance we walked up the aisles to share our light to all the people of the world. That was the best part of all because as I smiled at them I could see their faces light up. It was a great experience for me.
— Marie Clarke, Sandy
My husband, oldest daughter, sister and I went to the women's bobsled event at Utah Olympic Park in Park City. One part of getting to the venue included either walking up a road for at least a mile or taking a bus. We opted for the hike, which posed some difficulty for I was six months pregnant.
We took it slowly but what helped the most were the yellow-jacketed Olympic volunteers who coached us up the road and then encouraged us to keep going. Finally when we made it to the top we were greeted by the last Olympic volunteer who presented us with the "Gold Medal Mile" pin.
Looking at me she discovered I was expecting and gave me a second one for my baby. Now my baby can claim she had an Olympic experience, albeit in utero. — Jennifer Erickson, Layton
I was a Paralympics volunteer at the E Center motor pool. My job was to drive around anyone entitled to a ride, which meant almost anyone — except journalists. They had their own arrangements, and we were not to chauffeur them.
One day three Russian reporters wanted a ride downtown to Motel 6. My supervisor had me walk them to the bus stop and tell them how to catch a bus and TRAX downtown. I didn't like it — I wasn't especially busy — but, rules are rules. At the bus stop, however, the Russians couldn't decipher the schedule.
My supervisor budged a little and allowed me to drive them to the nearest TRAX station.
As we drove away, I wondered which purpose I should serve — obeying rules or creating goodwill.
Off we went to Motel 6. My passengers were grateful, my supervisor was none the wiser, and I was hopeful that someone in Russia may have learned that Utahns were more hospitable than dogmatic about rules.
— Steve Baldridge, Murray
My memories of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games are: that I got to stay up really late and I went sledding at Gorgoza Park. The event I liked most was bobsledding. I like how they go so fast down the track. Another thing I liked about the Olympics was the ski jump. It would be scary for me to do it. I don't have a favorite athlete. You don't need a favorite athlete to be a part of the Olympics. The thing I liked most about the Olympics was the pins. I wasn't a part of it but I liked the pins the most. There are all sorts of pins: still pins to sliding pins and other kinds of pins.
— Andy Faustino, Salt Lake City
I, along with millions of others, watched with thrill and excitement as Apolo Ohno skated his way to gold. I, however, was lucky enough to watch this incredible moment — not live in the audience, but in the maternity ward of the Davis Hospital in Layton. My baby wasn't due for another eight days, but I unexpectedly gave birth to our third son, Cameron Christopher, on Feb. 19, 2002 — a true Olympic baby, complete with an Olympic cap made by volunteers for babies born during the Games.
The 2002 Olympics were incredible and unforgettable, and we have a lifelong souvenir worth more than any green Jell-O pin, volunteer jacket or Roots beret. We have an amazing son, who we have appropriately nicknamed "Oly."
— Melissa Cheney, Layton
Tears fill my eyes every time I think about the moment I walked out in my regalia and welcomed the world. I participated in the Native American ceremony. My tribe is the Paiute Nation, and we represented the yellow ring. The thing that caught my eyes was the world looked at us like, "They are for real." The audience's faces looked at us in disbelief.
It was great to see the athletes swaying to our third song. It put a smile on my face.
The last best thing was when all us Natives exited the stadium — the crowd went wild and it seemed like they wanted to touch us. These are the only words that can really express what I felt in those moments. Proud, honored, blessed, thankful and happy.
I'd like to thank everyone who watched television that night and thank you, Salt Lake City. — Laura Charles, Cedar City
My Olympic memory was how cold it was. It was so cold my fingers froze. So did my toes. My mom said that it was like Antarctica under the ice where the seals swim. I thought so, too.
— Taylor Bowles, Salt Lake City
I was a volunteer assigned to the Venue Prep Team at Olympic Stadium. For the days preceding both the opening and closing ceremonies, we cleaned the seats, shoveled snow, picked up trash and swept the stadium. During our shifts, we were entertained by the stars at their rehearsals, including Dorothy Hamill.
Being of her generation, many of us went down to the ice to watch the "American Sweetheart" of our time.
She came to the ice edge to visit with us, laughing and talking about her days on the ice, even calling herself a "has-been." She posed for pictures with us individually and signed autographs. (Mine is on the shoulder of my Olympic jacket. I had no paper.)
She was as charming, sweet and kind as we had envisioned her to be! We were present for the closing ceremonies and saw her skate with the beauty and grace of her youth. She will always be our "American Sweetheart."
— Sarah Alley, Salt Lake City
About two months before the 2002 Winter Olympics we received a letter saying that our 7-year-old son, Jacob, had been selected to attend an Olympic event with his school. I excitedly told Jacob he had been picked to go to the Olympics in February to the speedskating event.
His eyes widened as he asked, "What's speedskating?"
I enthusiastically described the large ice oval where skaters race around at top speed next to each other, trying to win the gold medal.
Jacob's eyes got even wider as he said, "But Mom, I don't think I'll be very good at that!"
— Louisa and Jacob Slater, Provo
Memories of the 2002 Olympics are bittersweet to me. While the days were quickly passing by, so was my dad's life as he lay battling leukemia in St. Mark's Hospital. He, the sports enthusiast of all sports enthusiasts, was watching the events from the comfort or not-so-comfort of his hospital room.
Our conversations were about the Olympic activities we had been to, he experiencing them vicariously: the torch run through American Fork, a cross-country ski event at Soldier Hollow, a freezing walk through Park City, a ride downtown on TRAX. The closest he got was a quick car ride past the Olympic Village and the torch at the U.
We did watch together on his bedside TV Apolo Ohno's magnificent crawl to the finish line. My dad's own crawl to the finish took place just a few days after the closing ceremony, and he was laid to rest on March 8. The highs and lows of life were never so evident to me as they were during the Salt Lake Winter Olympics.
— Susan Blackham Curtis, Cedar Hills
Excited beyond belief, I climbed the stadium steps to my usher's position just a few rows from the caldron at the opening ceremonies. The Olympic anthems sounded, and athletes waved from the ice-covered field. I seated the incoming French team, beaming with the thrill of the moment, then turned to face the aisle.
My green-coated teammates and I were assigned to ensure a clear path for the Olympic torchbearers.
Reaching up, I took the hand of the girl above me, eyeing the caldron while reaching for another hand below. When I felt a grasp, I turned to watch the torch approach and stared straight into the eyes of a laughing Frenchman, who had snatched my outstretched hand. I gasped and giggled. He relinquished his hold. But, there I was — blushing for all the world to see as Picabo Street and Cammi Granato brushed past me with the torch.
— Debbi Randall, Centerville
I wasn't involved in the Olympics in any way, and although I watched the television coverage each evening, it could have been broadcast from any place in the world.
Except for one small difference.
Each morning, as I drove to work in the predawn hours, I could see the Olympic rings glowing on the hillside overlooking the city.
They daily reminded me that the 2002 Olympics were really here in Salt Lake City and are my lasting memory of the Games.
— Thomas G. Staniszewski, West Jordan
The audience outside Rice-Eccles Stadium on Feb. 8, 2002, was just as excited as the audience inside.
I was one of the spectator transportation volunteers. After helping unload the buses, we waited on the street during opening ceremonies and prepared to help everyone get the right bus home. Many of us had attended the dress rehearsal and tried to guess from the music and cheers what was happening inside. It was a cold night, and we were grateful for thermals, fleece and hand-warmers. But we didn't want to sit in the buses; we wanted to see the caldron light up.
We would hear the roar of the crowd and say, "Is that it?" After several false alarms, we saw the flame rise up.
We clapped and cheered wildly, just like the people inside the stadium. The flame warmed us from the inside out that night and throughout the Games.
— Catherine McAleer, West Valley City
While shopping in Park City during the Games, we noticed some people talking to a person on the other side of the store, so we went to see what the excitement was about. As we approached, others were saying that it was the gold medal winner in ice dancing. In fact it was Gwendal Peizerat, who along with his partner, Marina Anissina, of France, had won the gold medal.
Some took his picture, and all shook his hand and offered him congratulations. When it was our turn, the crowds had dispersed, and we had a chance to visit. My wife asked him what he did with his gold medal while he was out. He looked around, then reached into his jacket and pulled it out for us to see and touch. It was a wonderful Olympic moment on a personal nature, connecting with another human from across the world.
— Jeff and Colleen West, Draper
"They're medals," I heard someone say to the airport X-ray operator. It was last September, but I still guessed what a relatively short man with medals meant.
"Are you Derek Parra," I asked?
"I am."
I explained how my wife, two young daughters and I had cheered him on at the 1500m speedskating event. We watched him win gold, set a new world record, and mouth the heartfelt words "I love you" to his wife. It was the highlight of our Olympic Games!
While waiting for our flight, he carefully pulled his gold and silver medals out of his folded victory lap American flag and handed them to me. As I admired them and thought of the sacrifice and ultimate triumph they represented, he signed a photo for my daughters. "Rachel & Shelby — Follow Your Dreams!"
Thanks, Derek, for your gold winning performance on as well as off the ice!
— Rob Morrow, Centerville
I drove a German athlete, Patric Leitner, to The Gateway plaza. He was a winner of gold in the doubles luge. I excitedly asked if I could take his picture. His reply was, "Yes, if you stand in with me."
He pulled the gold medal from inside his vest and slipped it over my head. As he placed the gold in my hand an onlooker snapped the picture. I now have a photo of my "historic gold medal moment" from the 2002 Olympics.
— Dallen Glen Herzog, Salt Lake City
As a member of the opening and closing ceremonies team, it was exciting to be involved with preparing the costumes for months leading up to the Games. The excitement continued as I was selected to help dress the "Children of Light" for their part in the opening ceremonies.
On that cold winter night the children were breathless as they prepared to participate in the show. This was their time to shine before the world. After their first appearance in the show they returned to the tent to change out of their costumes. They rushed up to me, their faces radiant as they shared a special experience.
They told me that President Bush had met many of them as they left the stadium and shook hands with them. Chills ran up and down my spine as they spoke. Everything about that night was magical. The highlight being that our president would take time to meet and shake hands with these Utah children.
— Kay S. Jones, Murray
I was on Washington Square cheering when we heard "SALT LAKE CITY, 2002!" I was back opening ceremonies day, looking for pin traders. I was too early.
At 400 South and State I met two bewildered Chinese men wearing Olympic jackets so I dutifully asked — as we'd been prompted — may I help you?
They spoke little English, but pointing sharply south asked, "Shop?"
I pantomimed, eat?
Vigorously they shook their heads, repeating loudly "shop," pounding Olympic symbols on their yellow jackets.
I held up four fingers, motioned politely north and said firmly, "Shop!"
As I walked toward Main Street two men from Minnesota and a local uninformed lady wanted Port O' Call. I sent them west and a young man east for transportation to the stadium. Next I guided two well-dressed Swedish ladies toward the Native Americans exhibit at Gateway, thinking, "This is fun." I did eventually find pins.
LOVED the Olympics!
— Elinor G. Hyde, Salt Lake City
In serving as a volunteer at the 2002 Olympic opening ceremonies at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the most profoundly moving and memorable Olympic experience for me was the moment the United States flag that had survived the World Trade Center attacks was carried into the stadium. The hush that fell over the crowd was one of reverence and respect and unlike any other patriotic moment I had ever experienced.
To me, the flag was not just a symbol of our nation, but it embodied everything that was good about the human spirit, whether it was those who worked so hard to overcome the unique challenges Salt Lake City faced in hosting the Games, the determination of the athletes of the world to be their best, or the triumph of our nation in overcoming the events of 9/11. As the flag was carried past me I had a feeling of overwhelming gratitude.
— Gracie Jensen, Bountiful
My dad was crazy about the Olympics. Anything "Olympic" that he saw he wanted to buy. My mom, on the other hand, didn't like the Olympics much and hesitated to go to many of the events.
One Sunday night we went down to see the Olympic caldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium. After arriving we decided to take pictures of this magnificent Olympic flame. It was crowded, but we found a spot to take pictures.
My dad took out his camera and started snapping pictures of my mom and I with the caldron flaming behind us. I asked if I could take a picture and my dad let me.
When we got home and looked at the pictures, we saw something that made us all laugh. In the picture I had taken, the flame looked like it was coming right out of my dad's head! He had truly "lighted the fire within."
— Nathan Swenson, Salt Lake City
The thing I remember best is the Olympic fireworks. I was at my house when I saw them. There were a lot of them. All of them were different colors: blues, reds, yellows, greens and purples. They were all beautiful. I saw them on TV a few minutes later but there weren't as pretty. I saw my neighbor watching them, too. He had a smile on his face when he saw them. When they stopped he just went inside. I also saw a lot of people stop in their cars or if they were walking around the neighborhood, stop to look at them. My whole family loved watching them. Although I wasn't there at the stadium watching the Olympics, I will never forget the fireworks that lit the sky that night.
— Megan Needham, Salt Lake City
My Olympic memory is when Sarah Hughes won the gold. I like Michelle Kwan but I liked it when Sarah Hughes won because Sarah Hughes is a very good skater, and she is very pretty. I still feel bad for Michelle Kwan. She was good but the reason she lost is because she fell. I felt bad that Michelle lost, but I like Sarah.
— Candise Crawley, Salt Lake City
Amidst an exciting day of speedskating, bobsledding and cross-country skiing, our Olympic baby, Stephen William Laing, took the world by snowstorm on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002. Born at Orem Community Hospital and weighing in at 10 lbs. 9 oz., Stephen was the biggest baby our seasoned doctor could remember delivering.
Stephen (Greek for crowned) fittingly brought home the gold on Day 10 crowned with a full head of golden hair. He was later wrapped in an official 2002 Olympic blanket, courtesy of IHC. The thrill of the Olympic Games for us could only have been topped by the excitement of having our Olympic baby.
— Paul and Jill Laing, Cedar Hills
The Pleasant Grove High School Band left at 6 a.m., eager to welcome the Olympic torch. The sign at the bank read 3 degrees F. We arrived at the torch destination at 6:20 a.m. and someone informed us it was on the freeway ready to exit and we had to hurry or we'd miss our "moment." We rushed off the bus, ran over and played a stirring rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" for the car that went by with an electronic sign indicating the torch was 20 minutes away.
After 15 minutes of freezing weather and frantically trying to get brass valves unfrozen, the fireworks went off. The torch was here!
The fireworks finale occurred as we played the shout chorus for the battle hymn, creating an inspiring effect. Some student complained that his fingers were too cold to play his instrument. I told him it was all part of the Olympic experience.
— Vince Burgoyne, Pleasant Grove
My memory from the Olympics is when me and my family went to the short-track speedskating event. We saw Apolo Anton Ohno skating at the Delta Center. In the crowd was Michelle Kwan. It was so cool to see her. We were on the top row except for the VIP box. The people behind us had almost 100 pins. We traded some pins with them. They gave us a fake goatee to wear and it felt funny. The crowd wore the goatees to cheer Apolo on. After speedskating we walked around downtown. My parents bought us a new pin. When we got home I pretended I was in the Olympics and my brother was the judge. It was so much fun. I couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about the Olympics. When I fell asleep, I dreamt that I was a figure skater and I was on a team with Michelle Kwan and Sarah Hughes.
— McKenzie Baxter, Salt Lake City
On the morning Sarah Hughes won gold, I was working and had to check the ladies locker room. Sarah Hughes was in there with her coach and one other skater.
While I was in the locker room I asked Sarah if she would like a Salt Lake Temple pin because they were very hard to get.
She said she would like one so I gave it to her.
I told a couple of other workers what I had done. They all told me I had given her her lucky charm. That night she won the gold. Woooo!
The next day I got my picture with her.
— Carita Conklin, Salt Lake City
Those tiny Dutch shoes were pinned to spectators at the 2001 World Speed Skating Championships. I asked a Dutch girl if she had any. "No," she said, "Let me ask someone."
This someone was the mother of the Dutch skater, Jan Bos. I didn't know Jan or his parents; but from this meeting, I invited Jan's parents to stay at my home during the 2002 Olympics.
The Boses speak very little English. I speak no Dutch. The day Jan won his Olympic silver medal in the men's 1,000 meter, words weren't necessary. Smiles and hugs said it all. It was awesome to share in the joy of the parents of a winning athlete, and Jan's mother gave me his award ceremony flowers.
I received more than those tiny Dutch shoes or flowers. I have the priceless memory of Jan's victory and of his very happy, proud parents.
— Brenda R. Bell, Taylorsville
During one of my many volunteer shifts at the Utah Olympic Oval, I, along with a few fellow volunteers, had the opportunity to go into the home of the "Fastest Ice on Earth" and watch a race.
We stood near the start line on a walkway to bleacher seating, with our coats and vests in our arms. While we were taking in the races and the overall atmosphere, a man walked by us. He was an ordinary looking Olympic spectator, sporting an Olympic jacket and cap. We wouldn't have remembered that he had walked past us, except for that he turned around a few yards from where we were standing and came back to where we were. He had noticed our volunteer gear in arms and had come back to shake our hands and to thank us for being Olympic volunteers. This man was Mitt Romney, SLOC president.
— Christine Ferrin, Midvale
The young Swiss athlete Simon Ammann, to the astonishment of his coach and team, just won the gold medal in the men's K120 ski jump (his second gold during the 2002 Winter Olympics). Swiss team members are divided into two sections. Section A is comprised of the most promising athletes, and the B section are those with limited competition experience.
After the competition, winning athletes go through drug testing called Doping Control. Doping Control Escorts (DCE) accompany the gold, silver and bronze medallists to the Doping Control station. While the victorious Simon was in another room, one of the DCE asked his Swiss coach if Simon would be moved up to the "A" team as a result of winning two gold medals.
His strong Swiss accent brought laughter when he replied, "Ya, Ya. — It's time we move him to A team!"
— Gordon Madsen, South Jordan
A goal of mine for 2002 was to run in the City Classic 10K run. I had been running for several months by the time the Olympics started but had a difficult time running farther than about three miles. On the opening day of Olympic events, I went to the gym to run and watch the events on television. I remember being transfixed by the men's speedskating event and how Derek Parra and the Dutch skater Uytdehaage were giving their all and breaking records. I didn't even notice that I had already passed the three-mile mark. I decided to "go for the gold" and that night ran five miles for the first time ever, inspired by Olympians. (If you're out of shape, as I was, you'll understand how hard this is.) I'm now training for a half marathon. (Where did I put that "Olympic Memories" video?)
— David Henry, Draper