A Look Back; The 02 Winter Olympics

As the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris conclude with the Americans winning a remarkable 40 gold medals, we reflect on our own Olympic history. As you recall, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City were full of highs, lows, skeletons and halfpipes. For this fun summer edition of Alta Peruvian’s blog, we’ve decided to take a reflective glimpse back on when the best of the best in the world threw pow and laid it down on the slopes in our very own backyard!

The 2002 Winter Olympics, also commonly referred to as Salt Lake 2002, were held in February and described by IOC’s president Jacques Rogge as “flawless.” The games were so successful they netted a budget surplus, helping these facilities stay up to date even in the present day and helping SLC win a bid to host the upcoming 2034 Winter Olympics.

Skiing was the most common discipline at Salt Lake 2002, with 7 of the 15 event categories revolving around skiing. Americans, the hosts, inevitably showed out, leading every country in competitors with 202 stateside Olympians. However, Norway took the cake when it came to Olympic gold, ahead of Germany in second place and the US in third. Nevertheless, we still brought home the hardware, securing the second-highest number of medals behind Germany.

Although a taboo topic around the Alta Peruvian, it was notable that the United States swept the competition for the men’s halfpipe, packing the podium. Way to make us proud, boys! These Olympics were also the year that skeleton sliding was re-included in the Games since the 1940s, bringing the total number of events to 78. The world watched in awe as competitors flew face-first downhill, reaching speeds up to 87 miles an hour. That’s plenty fast for us, no bones about it.

Overall, it was a very successful and emotional Olympics, specifically for the United States, who were only a handful of months removed from 9/11. The world watched as our country rose from tragedy to celebrate our native roots and host the best athletes from around the globe in the name of fair competition. The closing ceremony was a spectacular event featuring musical performances from artists including Bon Jovi, Willie Nelson, NSYNC, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more. It was a shining example of global unity, and we rose to the occasion.

We congratulate all of our 2024 Summer Olympians in France. You have made our Peruvian hearts proud! And psst – did you know that the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are returning to Salt Lake City in 2034!?