A total of 415 Para athletes (328 men and 87 women) from 36 countries took part in the Games which featured four sports and 92 medal events. Germany topped the medals table.
COMPETING NATIONS AND ATHLETES
A total of 415 Para athletes from a then record 36 nations competed at the Games.
Six nations made their Paralympic Winter Games debuts – Andorra, Chile, China, Croatia, Greece and Hungary.
With 57 athletes, hosts USA had the biggest delegation followed by Japan (36), Norway (27) and Canada (27).
USA (16) had the biggest female delegation.
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SPORTS
The Games featured 92 medal events which were spread across four sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing and Para ice hockey.
Para alpine skiing had 53 medal events covering downhill, giant slalom, slalom and Super-G. A total of 193 Para athletes from 30 countries competed in the sport.
There were six medal events in Para biathlon which involved 104 Para athletes from 17 counties, while the 32 Para cross-country skiing medal events saw 134 Para athletes from 22 countries take part.
Six nations contested the Para ice hockey competition.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
Norway's Ragnhild Myklebust was again the stand-out performer at the Games, winning five gold medals – four in Para cross-country skiing and one in Para biathlon.
In Para alpine skiing, Australia's Michael Milton, the USA's Will Sarah, as well as the German duo of Gerd Schoenfelder and Martin Braxenthaler each won all four of their races.
Schoenfelder and Braxentaler's compatriot Verena Bentele also won four gold medals – three in Para cross-country skiing and one in Para biathlon.
USA defeated defending champions Norway to take the gold in Para ice hockey.
Results
Twenty-two nations won medals at the Games, including 17 that won gold. Germany topped the medals table for the first time since the inaugural Paralympic Winter Games securing 17 gold, one silver and 15 bronze medals. Hosts USA and Norway finished second and third respectively.
USA topped the medals table in Para alpine skiing, Germany in Para biathlon and Norway in Para cross-country skiing.
Paralympic Torch Relay
The Paralympic flame was carried by 100 runners throughout Utah, and stopped at places such as the Utah state capital, All Abilities Play Park at Liberty Park and Shriner's Hospital, before reaching Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium.
OPENING CEREMONY
On 7 March 2002, more than 40,000 spectators flooded Rice-Eccles Stadium to view the Opening Ceremony, which was based on the theme, "Awaken the Mind – Free the Body – Inspire the Spirit."
Eric Weihenmeyer, the first blind man to successfully climb Mount Everest, carried the Paralympic torch to the podium. Guided by his dog, he passed it off to Muffy Davis and Chris Waddell – world class US alpine skiers – who then jointly lit the Paralympic cauldron.
CLOSING CEREMONY
The Closing Ceremony embodied the theme, "Mind, Body, Spirit," and was held at the Olympic Medals Plaza. Gregory Smith wrote the 48 minutes of original music for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
ATTENDANCE AND COVERAGE
Due to a high demand of tickets, the total number made available was increased from 225,000 to 248,000.
A total of 836 broadcast and media representatives were accredited for the Games, with several international broadcasting associations offering viewers highlight packages following the Games.
Medals
The Salt Lake City 2002 medals were simple with a clear message that aligned with the motto of the Paralympic Movement. The phrase “Mind, Body, Spirit” was featured on the rim of the medal as well as on the blue ribbon.
The Games’ logo, name and edition were showcased on the front of the medal. The Paralympic logo at the time (three Tae-Geuks) could be found on the reverse side of the medal.
Mascot
Otto was the official mascot of the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. This American River Otter was featured on memorabilia and cheered the athletes on with its energy and enthusiasm.
TOtters have a significant and powerful history in Utah, being referenced in Native American tales as one of the most powerful animals.
Otto, designed by Steve Small, conveyed the unstoppable spirit of the Paralympians who competed at the Games.
Torch
The design of the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic torch was inspired by an icicle, and made from silver, copper, and glass contrasting modern and historical aspects of Utah.
The torch’s handle was sleek, polished silver. The midsection was worn silver with descending vines to create a seamless blend between the new and old American landscape. The flame at the top emerged from glass carved to imitate a block of ice.
The torch, designed at the Georgia Institute of Technology, could endure intense winds, rain and snow.