Live Television Signals Secured

With significant financial support from the IPC, the Organizing Committee for the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games, SLOC can finally confirm that a live television signal of the Games will be available to broadcasters. ISB (International Sports Broadcasting), who also serves as the Olympic host broadcaster, will now provide live feed of all competitions and of the Opening ceremony.

It has been a high priority of SLOC and of the IPC during the past months to provide a higher level of television coverage from the Paralympic Winter Games 2002 in Salt Lake City. Originally, only a 30 minute international highlight package was secured. The new arrangements will be a considerable improvement from the original planned ENG video crew coverage and reflects the demand of the international right holders.

This is a great achievement and will considerably contribute to the success of the Games and the growth of the Paralympic movement. Details still need to be confirmed and a Memorandum of Understanding between SLOC and the IPC is presently being drafted.

Cuddly Plush Mascot Otto the Otter Now on Sale

On November 28, 2001 the Salt Lake Organizing Committee of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games held a press conference to announce and celebrate the launch of the ticket sales for the Paralympics. It was also used as an opportunity to popularize Otto the Otter, the mascot of the Games.

Apart from adorning the Salt Lake Paralympics promotion publications and making public relations related appearances all over the state of Utah, Otto is intended as an in-tegrative figure that symbolizes the absence of boundaries of nation, race and gender. Otto embodies the elite Paralympic athlete with his resilience, vitality and agility.

Native Americans revered otters as the most powerful of animals. Before the advent of commercial trapping hunters did not kill otters because doing so was considered bad luck. However, pollution and over trapping nearly wiped out the otter in the early 1900’s. They have rebounded from near extinction and were reintroduced to Utah in 1990. As the mascot for the Paralympics, Otto serves as a symbol of strength and power, setting an example by rebounding from adversity.

The Plush Otto the Otter will be sold along with a number of other official Paralympic merchandise items such as Paralympic pins, coffee mugs, T-shirts, hats, etc. He is now available in a number of outlets and stores in Salt Lake City. The Paralympic website http://www.paralympics2002.com/ will soon also offer the opportunity to purchase these and other products online. To this end, Fanbuzz, the shopping area on the website will be expanded..