Salt Lake City:
Two Years To Go

Two years might seem to be a long time. But for the organizers of the biggest winter sport event in the world, the two-year countdown already implies entering one of the final phases of preparation. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2002 (SLOC) is well on its way, as the IPC Games Liaison Committee was able to experience during a meeting with SLOC representatives in March. The members of the Liaison Committee reviewed all aspects of SLOC’s preparations and were given updates on all major functions including sport, doping control, medical services, accreditation, staffing information systems and budget.

A principal decision was made during the meeting with regard to the Games’ program. As there is no contractual obligation, SLOC was unable to fulfill the IPC’s request to include Wheelchair Dance Sport in the program of the Salt Lake City Paralympic Winter Games. The IPC also announced that Ice Sledge Racing will not be on the program either, because the sport is not yet well-developed enough. IPC President Dr. Robert Steadward confirmed that only sports which are widely practiced and which are performed on an elite level are eligible to be included in the Paralympic Games.

During the Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships, IPC President Dr. Robert Steadward, took the opportunity to address all SLOC staff in order to thank them for their commitment to the Paralympic Games. "To be part of the Paralympics is a very exciting and rewarding experience. I am convinced that the Salt Lake Paralympic Games will be a great success – because of your excellent work."

At a joint IPC/SLOC press conference on the occasion of the Games Liaison Meeting, SLOC President and Chief Executive Officer, Mitt Romney, confirmed that the´Paralympic Games were taken very seriously at the Organizing Committee. Every effort would be made to deliver to the Paralympic athletes the same quality of Games as to the Olympic athletes.

The Paralympic Winter Games Mascot Otto the Otter had its first public debut in March. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee unveiled Otto the Otter as the 2002 Paralympics mascot during the Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships. His name means eight in Italian, and these will be the eighth Paralympic Winter Games.

The river otter, which is found in Utah along the banks of the Colorado and Green rivers, carries the Paralympic message embodying vitality, agility and nature's whimsical spirit. It also represents the Paralympic ideals of tenacity and strength. "Mascots link the Games to children of all ages. They can educate and excite at the same time," said SLOC President and Chief Executive Officer Mitt Romney. The IPC approved Otto in April 1999, who will be succeeding Sydney’s Lizzie the Lizard and Parabbit of the 1998 Paralympic Winter Games in Nagano.

The ticket prices for the 2002 Paralympic Games were recently announced by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. More than 325,000 tickets will be available. For the first time in Paralympic Games history, visitors will be able to order tickets in real-time via the internet. Prices for the opening and closing ceremonies will range from US$10 - 100; athletic event tickets will sell for US$10 - 25. Group discount rates, family passes, flexible coupon books and fundraising opportunities for non-profit organizations will ensure that the athletes will be able to perform in front of a big audience.

A total of 26,000 volunteers well be needed for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Registration has started in March and training will begin next spring. Volunteers will be assigned in 30 different job areas during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nova Datasystemer AS, a Norwegian company with extensive experience in results and information systems from the 1994 and 1998 Paralympic Winter Games, has signed a contract with the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) to be the On-Venue Results and Information Systems Provider for the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. Nova will provide and operate the information systems that will deliver results from the Paralympic venues to scoreboards and television screens, and information to the Paralympic Website.

"We are pleased to have a company with such vast experience in providing sport result systems join the Paralympic team," said Mitt Romney, SLOC President and CEO. "Our goal as an Organizing Committee is to stage the best Games ever and the addition of Nova will ensure that the delivery of results will be done in a highly professional manner."

On March 27, 2000 the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2002 moved its offices to a new location in Salt Lake City. SLOC, which has been headquartered in two separate buildings, will now occupy seven floors (10-16) in the American Stores building just a few blocks from its previous residence.

The new address is: Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC), 299 South Main Street, Suite 1300, Mailing address: PO Box 45002, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, USA. The telephone numbers will remain the same as in the former office building: Tel:+1 (801)212-2002, Fax: +1 (801)364-7644, NPC & Athlete Services Fax: (801)212-2727, NPC & Athlete Services E-mail: npc.services@saltlake2002.com.