2002 Winter Paralympics

Paralympics infobox
Name = VIII Paralympic Winter Games

Host city = Salt Lake City, Utah
Nations participating = 36
Athletes participating = 416
Opening ceremony = March 7
Closing ceremony = March 16
Events = 5 sports
Officially opened by = George W. Bush
Olympic Torch = Muffy Davis, Chris Waddell
Olympic Stadium = Rice-Eccles Stadium

The 2002 Olympic Winter Games, including the 2002 Winter Paralympics, were held in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.

Ragnhild Myklebust of Norway won five gold medals in skiing and biathlon, becoming the most successful Paralympic athlete of all times, with 22 medals of which 17 gold. [ [http://www.vancouver2010.com/fr/OrganizingCommittee/MediaCentre/NewsReleases/2007/12/13/76537_0712131208-140 "Possibilité de médaille d’or : Vancouver 2010 annonce la recherche d’un concepteur pour les médailles olympiques et paralympiques"] , official website of the 2010 Vancouver Games, December 13, 2007]

Sports

The games consisted of four disciplines in three sports. [cite web |title=Salt Lake 2002 - General Information |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |date=2008 |url=http://www.paralympic.org/release/Main_Sections_Menu/Paralympic_Games/Past_Games/Salt_Lake_City_2002/general_information.html |accessdate=2008-08-06 ]

* Alpine skiing
* Ice sledge hockey
* Nordic skiing
** Biathlon
** Cross-country skiing

Medal table

ymbol and mascot of the games

The logo of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games is made up of three distinct marks. The sphere on the top represents the head of the Paralympic athlete and also symbolizes the global unity of the Paralympic Movement. Two broad fluid lines represent the athlete in motion. The three taegeuks beneath the athlete reproduce the green, red and blue marks on the Paralympic Flag.

The mascot for the Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City 2002 was Otto the otter. Ancient Indian tribes considered the otter to be one of the most powerful of all animals. After being nearly wiped out by pollution and overtrapping the river otter has been reintroduced to Utah and can be seen along the banks of the Green River and near Flaming Gorge. The otter was chosen as the official mascot of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games because he embodies vitality and agility, and represents the spirit of every Paralympian.

ee also

* 2002 Winter Olympics

External links

* [http://www.paralympic.org International Paralympic Committee]

References