Ticket to the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony, 2002
On November 29, 2023, the International Olympics Committee entered “targeted dialogue” with Salt Lake City to host the 2034 Winter Olympic and ParalympicGames, with a decision expected to be finalized in July 2024. In celebration of the event we are showcasing the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Utah made unsuccessful bids to host the winter Olympics in 1972 (Sapporo, Japan was selected) and 1998 (Nagano, Japan was selected). In 1995 they were awarded to host in 2002. Salt Lake City was the eighth U.S. city to host the Olympics.
The XIX Olympic Winter Games were held in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 8th through February 24th, 2002. There were 2,399 athletes from 78 nations, participating in 78 events in 15 disciplines at 10 different venues along the Wasatch Front. The Ogden Ice Sheet on the Weber State University campus hosted the curling events while Snowbasin hosted the alpine skiing events of downhill, super-G, and combined.
Because of the events of September 11, 2001, security had a strong presence at events, and there was a heightened sense of American pride.
There were 22,000 people who volunteered to help at the Games. At Snowbasin there were 3,019 staff and volunteers, and over 1,200 at the Ice Sheet. There were between 3,500-4,000 volunteers from North Davis and Weber Counties.
Flag from the world trade center presented at the opening ceremonies, 2002
Security screening for olympic games in Salt Lake City, 2002
Mascots: Powder, Copper, and Coal