Online Message Board: What Do You Think of the 2002 Olympics? So what's on your mind with the 2002 Winter Olympics? Is the traffic as bad as you thought? Do you agree with the judges that gave the Canadian skaters the silver? How's the coverage? We want to hear what you have to say. Please keep it clean. Note that all messages are reviewed before going live! Here's what others have to say:

Oct 2002 & still dreaming of the Salt Lake Olympics -- jon of Colo. Sprs., CO

Here it is in late Oct, & i am still looking at KSL's web site at any Olympic related news that i can find, i am always thinking of Salt Lake as i look at the Live Cam & i look at the scenes with the Olympics superimposed over--such as i mentaly rehang the giant banners back on the downtown buildings, i look at your foothills & i once more "see" the Oly rings lite up at night, i look at the Delta Center & it is once more the ice center, the empty parking lot across from the Triad Center is buzzing with all the Oly fans entering once more the Medals Plaza; yes the scenes of downtown are forever "haunted" by the great memories of the very wonderful Winter Games at Salt Lake. All we have here in Colo is regreats of refusing the games for '76. & also only memories here this yr are the Hayman fire, Mission Ridge fire , & drought that is killing all our out door landscaping. if i want to ski, i'll have to go to Alta, SnowBird, Brighton or such as we may be in for scanty snow again, but once again, the fire is yet within me & may it guide all of us to the ultimate celibration of all time a sort of supream Olympics That will be hosted as the Olympics were at Satl Lake!!!! Once More lets hear it for you all on a job of hosting so well done hurrah!!!!!!!!!   

Is it too late? :( -- Sherry of Magna, UT

I just surfed to this board by accident and even though the games have been over for 8 months, I couldn't resist adding my comments. I was a Event Services Team Leader at the Medals Plaza during the games and felt honored to volunteer for the Paralympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well. I would not...for no amount of money whatsoever, give back any of my time as a volunteer during the games! The work was a bit tough at times and my body still feels the effects, but it was a "Once in a lifetime chance" that I will never regret! I'm a native Utahn and I can safely say...I have never been more proud to announce this. From the awesomeness of how organized the games themselves were: to the even more awesomeness of the volunteers (alot who I met...and others I didn't but feel a connection to) We made Utah proud. But...go figure...of course we did. It's totally thrilling to know what a wonderful place we live...but it's even more thrilling that we all pulled together and proved this fact to the world!!! To all those who pulled together at the monster board...hopefully we'll meet again...at another Olympics...who knows, maybe even here in this Terriffic State! Or...if anyone's interested, thru the Team 2002 Legacy Volunteers. We are a "informal" group of about 150 strong, who just had to "Keep the Flame Alive" and want to continue the Olympic Legacy through Community Service! You can look us up on the net.  

Olympics2002/general -- Kenneth of West Jordan, UT

I thought that the Olympics were great! Even though I was not able to attend any of the events, I was proud of the way everything was organized! Things went surprisingly smooth, including the traffic! I work at the airport and was in the middle of the tightest security. I was able to see government and other dignitaries daily. I was part of the security operation! I did go downtown on the last night and saw problems arising and left before they got started. I knew things were not going well as soon as I witnessed the police in riot gear show up with their assault weapons! I have also heard rumors that Salt Lake may try and get the Olympics again! Kenneth Thomas  

cerimonies -- Berk of slc, UT

I was a child of light in the olympic cerimonies, and I thougt it was the absolute best experience of my entire life!!!!!  

Happy Trails to You Until We Meet Again" -- Shirley of Grantville,, PA

The closing ceremonies was very impressive. I especially enjoyed the old song, "Happy Trails to You" which I remember being sung by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. It was very meaningful and done by all the children made it more moving. I would like to find a copy of the music "Happy Trails to You" so I can incorporate it into a performance that is being done by children this summer. Does anyone know where I might be able to find this music? I would greatly appreciate hearing from you..  

MEMORIES THAT I WILL REMEMBER ALWAYS -- KEN of PROVO, UT

after salt lake and the whole state of utah staged such unforgetable olympics and then turn right around and did the same with the paralympics, it makes me very proud to call myself a native utahn. we all can be very proud of what was accomplished in our beautiful state be we mormon,catholic, jewish,baptist,or just good hearted people.the world sees us very differently now and they will soon not forget these games and the great people of utah!!!!!!!!what great memory   

Mitt running in mass -- Tony of Ogden, UT

How long will it take him to do to mass what is happening here in utah?   

paralympics/olympics Dorothy McDaniel of Roy Utah -- Dorothy of Roy, UT

I want to say what a wonderful job the state of utah did on putting on the olympics. But I feel that the paralympics got short sided. I feel the IOC should have the Paralympics on before the Winter olympics so they could experience and get the same appreciation from the world as the Olympics received. thank you for a job well done.  

Volunteer -- Sharon of FARR WEST, UT

Hi, I am a Olympic Volunteer in the Motor Pool and I have been a residents of Utah for 63 years When I volunteered I had no idea what it would be like. What a great experience. All the venues were terrific and the Medals plaza "WOW". I am now a Paralympic volunteer. My daughter lost her arm when she was 16 at Lagoon and I relate to the paralympics. I had the opportunity to watch my very first ever Sledge Hockey game yesterday morning what a challenge. Thank you for supporting the Olympics. No other station could have done as good of job. One more question, where can I get a copy of the opening and closing videos? Thank you again.  

Paralympics-- -- jon of Colo. Sprs., CO

Here it is 2 weeks after the closing of the Olympic games , still i seek for any lingering memorbilia of the games . Each day i log on your web site to seek one more look of downtown Salt Lake & the medals plaza via the "live SLC cam". i still get poignant & still wish for the "majic" to live forever. i am glad to see yet the pictorial banners hanging on the buildings. Now that the paralimpics are started , i wish there would be some coverage by NBC or some other media broadcast of these games. i wish the entire opening cerimonies were covered by someone in the media. The paralimpic athletes desevers to have "exposure" to the public, i believe that the paralimpics would be wonderfully recieved by the viewing public if only we could be shown them. i believe the paralympic athletes would indeed be a source of great inspiration that many of the public could identify with-- a more at home feeling".Let us all give these truly dedicated athletes a well deserved appluase & may something be done to give them the much deserved media exposure on the broadcast network. By the way is there any possibility of a pictorial album be made avaiable containing the photos in your "Photo Diary"? This would be interesting as there are many pictures of "around the games in Salt Lake & surrounding area". i liked the poignant panarama views of downtown on the final evening at sundown showing the view of the medals plaza to the Delta Center & all of downtown. This would be a great suvenior collection of photos. Regards jon   

Olympics Were Wonderful!!! -- Rocio of Salt Lake City, UT

I have always wanted to be part of the olympic games. I was so excited when the time came. I worked for the Olympic Superstore and also had the opportunity to perform at Washington Square and Ethnic Village folklore from my county Peru. I had the opportunity to attend some of the concerts, meet athletes and media people from different countries. I wish this time would last forever. I enjoyed every single moment that experienced with the Olympics. I also want to congratulate the people in charged of this big event. They did an excellent job!! :)  

Performances at the Ethnic Village. -- Angie of West Jordan, UT

Well, at the Ethnic Village, there were some beautiful performances there. Me and my family who came from the Pacific islands went to the village to look around and enjoy the olympics. I was surprised when they called out this one Polynesian group who was representing there island of Samoa. They had some magnificent performances, I was surprised to see how young these childrens were and they were dancing up there and they were showing how much they love there culture and especially there love for the U.S.A. I was really amazed and I love there performances. Especially watching the little kids and there performances and they looked so beautiful up there, they smiled through their whole performance. And I was listening to the words of there songs that they played the last time, I think that it was beautiful. I am so glad that my in-laws were happy that day. Ever since we seen this group's performance, and how there leader was telling us when they were going to perform again. We never missed there performances and they were just lovely kids. I am so proud that they had this opportunity to be involved in the Olympics and I am so happy that my in-laws liked it and they enjoyed it and that they never stopped talking about it , I will never forget the name of this group who represented their island with pride and love for their island. And the name of this group is "LUMANA'I O SAMOA," the Future of Samoa.  

Kim's Tantrum -- Lisa of Tooele, UT

I felt bad for the South Korean speed skater when he was disqualified. I'm sure it was a very difficult time for him. My sympathy didn't last long, however. Kim's actions after the race were disgusting and unsportmanlike. Upon hearing he was disqualified, he threw a tantrum, slammed the South Korean flag to the ice, and skated all over it. Whether you agree with a judge's decision or not, be mature enough not to embarass your country by acting like a spoiled child.   

best olymoics ever -- bryan of riverton, UT

usualy i dont care about the olymoics but this years games realy got me interrseted. I didn't know that hockey was such a great sport till the games. Congratulations to canada they played a heck of a game.   

Great Olympics -- Barbara of Austin, TX

I have to say that the entire games were great, I scheduled my evenings after work around the games.The coverage was great and the views of the Salt Lake area shows the rest of the world what a beautiful place it is. My Daughter and family live in Provo so I was particularly interested. Hopefully not too many people will think it is a great place to live and move there to try to change it. I check out the Salt Lake news from KSL.com. Especially to read anything about the Jazz. I am a huge fan. Barbara from Austin TX   

a fond farewell to the games -- jon of Colo. Sprs., CO

Hello. Enough of this woody thing,thats a spoiler for sure. Here i am in Colo.Sprs. where i have to look in an encyclopedia to find out what snow is. Pikes Peak 14100 ft has only about 20" season total so far. i really enjoyed the Salt Lake Winter Olympics , it was unspeakably wonderful. i got emotionaly attacted to them. i was sooooo sad Sun eve when the games closed , the torch snuffed out & hearing that the great rings shinning above the city will go out forever--i wept--thinking of how it must've been like for all involved as preparations for the games were made over the many years -- the build up of anticipation , the joy of the scheduled approach of the Olympics to Salt Lake. i felt a distant part of it--{i can recieve KSL radio in the evenings}-- you see all of this region is a part of the intermountain west. i could drive to Salt Lake in about 8-9 hours from here. i saw Seth Lewis's articale,online, "Utahns feeling post-party blues" or how about also titling it "Utahns along with many other "fans" got the Monday mourning blues". No kidding- i felt sad at the thought of all of that medals plaza comming down, all the dignitaries departing, everyone leaving, "its "now what?" 17 days just went tooooo fast. Well i suppose all of us has to face reality of life goes on--but forever will live those Salt Lake games within--lighting the fire within. Yes even on this Fri. eve. i am quietly crying because i miss my companion of the games broadcast on NBC. i do not know all about this "woodsy guy"from the Denver Post" i'm sure that what ever he wrote was most inappropriate for something precious as the Salt Lake games. i well imagine that even now, there are more than a few tears being shed due to a sense of emptyness cause by the Olymipic's farewell. By the way i saw the torch when it passed through here--that did'nt seem so long ago. Only some 9 days before it arrived in Salt Lake. Fortunatly at least here the U.S. Olympic training center is only about 12 minutes drive away. Salt Lake---so close to here--if only i had some money on hand to have sauntered over your way to see some of the games & even take a ski lesson at say Snowbird or Silver lake Brighton on actual snow. We have a few inches of old depth hoar on the east slope of the mts. --So thank you for a most splended job of hosting the Olympics!!!!! Hope to yet come there & see some of the Olympic sites--Hope that there will be memorbilia of the games in place.----jon   

Children of Light's Lanterns -- Shelley of Holladay, UT

The Children of Light were all told to take good care of their costumes, as they would be allowed to keep them at the end of the Closing Ceremonies for the Olympics. However, while they WERE able to keep their costumes, they were told at the end of the ceremonies that their little lanterns couldn't go home with them. It seems that they were going to be used in the Paralympics, and would then be sent somewhere in Switzerland. My little daughter, a performer, was very saddened by this, but was somewhat comforted by the thought that the lanterns would be part of a permanent Olympic display. But now that I have found out that many of these lanterns are being given away by Mitt Romney to politicians and dignitaries, I am angry. (I also have a have a hard time believing that hundreds of lanterns will be sent for display in Switzerland.) I find this whole matter very troubling. The children were worked very hard, in all kinds of weather, and for very long hours for several months while preparing for the Olympics. If anyone should be awarded the lanterns, it should be the children and not the politicians and dignitaries.   

?hildren of Darkness" -- Debbie of Highland, UT

Dear KSL, I've never written to the media before, but SLOC's actions last Friday (Feb. 22), I felt, were worthy of reporting. My daughter, along with some 700 other local children were "Children of Light" for the Opening & Closing Ceremonies. They were extremely dedicated, attending more than 20 practices, practicing for more than 120 hours. They sacrificed their Saturdays, other extra curricular activities, and even family activities for this wonderful opportunity. It was really an amazing experience. The kids were told they would get to keep their costume and lanterns. For many kids, the lantern is what meant the most to them. Not only was it symbolic of their role in the Olympics, but they practiced with them for hours on end. I would not be writing this letter if SLOC had been honest from the beginning, but they were not. Not only were the kids told they would keep their lanterns, SLOC used them as a sort of threat, especially as the Opening Ceremony approached. They would say things like, "Kids, if any more lanterns get broken then you won't be able to keep these. We need to take care of these so you can keep them." I know for my daughter that was motivation to take excellent care of her lantern. She wanted to keep it so badly. Suddenly, at Friday's dress rehearsal the kids were informed that no one would get to keep a lantern. They were devastated and sarcastically dubbed themselves "Children of Darkness." In a letter that was sent home to parents SLOC explained, "Unfortunately, these (the lanterns) have always been planned to be re-deployed for our Paralympic Ceremonies, as well as the Olympic Museum in Lousanne (it's really spelled Lausanne) Switzerland and the permanent Olympic Exhibit here in Salt Lake. Unfortunately, we can not at this point change our planning for the lanterns." My question then is why did they promise them to the kids in the first place? And even worse, why would they use them as a threat? I feel it's a cheap trick, and I know I'm not alone in my feelings. Parents are outraged. You don't hold a reward for good behavior over a child's head and then remove that reward once you get the results you want, which in this case was darling, happy kids who looked great on camera. SLOC says they are going to have a lantern pin designed for the kids so they can remember their lanterns. How lame is that? The other thing that has parents ticked is that SLOC has also been giving these lanterns to VIPs and politicians. I think we all know what these people do with this type of gift. They display it for a while then it's put in a closet to collect dust. Those lanterns would mean a whole lot more to the Children of Light! I feel overall SLOC did a fabulous job working with the kids and producing incredible ceremonies, and I'm thankful my daughter had the opportunity to participate. I just think that SLOC should do the right thing and honor their promise. If they really have to weasel out of that promise, they should have more manufactured and offer parents the opportunity to buy one. I would tell SLOC all this but they don't seem to returning phone calls. Thanks for listening!  

Children of Light - Lanterns -- Mike of Sandy, UT

Is there any way to get SLOC to reverse their decision not to allow the Children of Light to keep their lanterns. With all the money spent, would it not be appropriate to have lanterns for the Olympics AND the Paraolympics? Those kids put their lives and souls into an absolutely astounding performance and should be able to take home more than fuzzy costumes and lapel pins! Especially, after being initially promised they'd be able to keep the lanterns.  

no tickets -- carole of Idaho Falls, ID

I was delighted to be able to spend one day in Salt Lake during the olympics. I told my family I was going and if any of them wanted to tag along they could. They were so glad they listened and came along! We had never been on TRAXX and even that was fun. It was wonderful to just be downtown and be a part of everything there. Everything was so well done. All of the bad things we had heard through the media about horrible traffic, longs lines and every other imaginable atrocity just were not true. Thanks Salt Lake for a great Olympics!  

Thanks for the fireworks -- Kathy of Orem, UT

Thanks for putting the fireworks on the web site. It was disappointing not to see them that night, but you came through - as always - KSL you're the best!   

Drunken Behavior -- Les of Ogden, UT

I have been Bah Humbug about the Olympics for years. I even left Utah in January so I wouldn't be here for the hassels. However, due to unforseen problems, I was back in town just in time for the start. Seeing the Olympic Torch really changed my attitude. I actually waited out in the freezing cold for 2 hours just to see it. I started attending venues, (getting tickets from scalpers at resonable prices) going to Park City, attending Olympic concerts in Ogden and at Temple Square. Everything was fanastic! Last Saturday we attended some venues, then rode Traxx into town and had a wonderful time downtown talking to people, lisenting to bands, seeing things. After a wonderful concert in the tabernacle, we ended up at the Gateway. A bit before midnight we left the Gateway to walk to the Traxx station. We really wished we'd brought a car. I have never seen such loud and profane behavior. Drunken people were hanging out of upper story windows screaming profanities at those driving by and at us who were just walking down the street. A resturant owner escorted a drunken party out of his establishment admidst a stream of "F" words and other profanities. One of those truck-drawn open carriages came by and we gladly hitched a ride just to get out of the place, but it was even worse. Drunken riders were yelling obscenities and profanities at and picking fights with pedestrians, screaming at other open carriages, spitting and sloping beer all over the place, and smoking in the other riders' faces. It was the most disgusting display of sub-human behavior I have ever witnessed in my entire life, and I have lived and traveled all over the nation. It ruined an almost perfect day. I am so disappointed that this type of obscene drunken behavior was allowed.  

Some more added TV coverage -- GARY of WEST JORDAN, UT

Thanks to KSL-TV for showing the fireworks from the closing ceremony. Some had been cheated twice by this omission. Once, by the omission itself, and then again when local viewers thought they could use the fireworks on TV as the cue to head outdoors and see the pyrotechnics from their homes around the valley. I think there exists another portion of the Olympic telecast that was clipped. This occurred during the opening activities at the Medals Plaza when Bob Costas was making a few unappreciated remarks. Bob said something about returning to see the opening activites, but somehow this follow-up didn't occur. Were KSLTV's camera in position for this? How about repeating or showing this activity? Admit it, the Olympics still makes an ongoing news story to the many fans here in Utah.   

Apolo Ohno most interesting athlete -- Jessica_Alexandra of San Antonio, TX

Apolo Ohno was the only reason I was watching the short track speed skating this year. I have never had interest in the sport until he skated on the ice. I would really love to see this incredibly talented, gorgous, young man again in four years!  

I repent! -- Judith of West Valley City, UT

My attitude toward the Olympics in Utah has made a complete 180 turnaround over the last two weeks. I began with very little information, very little understanding, and very little enthusiasm, and ended with tears in my eyes at the extinguished torch and a fond hope that Salt Lake will be given this opportunity again in the future. All I had to shape my views of the Olympics were the initial scandal, rumors of lots of money pumping here and there, and a lovely glossy guide for commuters on how to bypass the closures and detours associated with the Olympic venues. I was not impressed by the idea of thousands of Utah residents gearing up for what they hoped would be booming business in the form of outrageous rents and inflated prices. It was only for two weeks, and yet many seemed determined to fund their retirement with the income. I did not volunteer because I knew I wouldn't have the time, or the funding for babysitters, but when my zealous neighbor announced that she had been assigned 110 hours over the two weeks of the Olympics, I was exceedingly glad I had not put myself out. I thought, how can they be so greedy to make the volunteers slave while they rake it in? Then our daughter came home from school excited about the Olympics, and able to name and describe the mascots, and recognizing the Olympic rings and snowflake for what they were. Our volunteer friend got tickets to the opening ceremony dress rehearsal, and came home to tell us we wouldn't want to miss it. So, after not intending to think much about what was happening so close to us, my husband and I sat down to watch what became the first of many Olympic moments now treasured and savored. The opening ceremony was breathtaking, aesthetically grand, enjoyable to the end (except the commercial breaks and the incessant blabbing of the announcers, the bad taste of which I have now mercifully almost forgotten). We were touched by the remembrance of September 11th, and I realized for the first time just what these games represented to the world. I was proud that Utah was the host of the first world peace event since the terrorist attacks, and I was duly impressed through the next two weeks at the international patriotism and unity displayed by all involved in the Olympics. We rode the waves of triumph and heartbreak with the athletes... We were gratified by the many compliments to the citizens of Salt Lake and its environs for pulling off what many thought could not or would not be done; the media, the athletes, the IOC, and the representatives of every country overwhelmingly pronounced these games the best Winter Olympics ever. The intensity of patriotic feeling among all the participants of these games gave us such a reassurance of all that is good in the world, even in the wake of September 11th. Mitt Romney was right when he stated that these games could not NOT go on. With all the good that came of these games, we had little trouble hurdling the few scandals that reared. How could I not change my tune so completely after such a wonderful experience? This was a world event that succeeded in much healing, much goodwill, and much celebration of human achievement in the face of adversity.   

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