Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics

Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics. The Ceremonies. , My plan for the future is to try and recruit more young people to the sport. Skiing has given me so much...it has showed me that the most important thing is not to win but to achieve goals for yourself. , Nordic Skier Ragnhild Myklebust , They came from all over the globe compete against the world's best. From March 7 to 16, 2002, hundreds of elite athletes with dis- abilities pushed themselves beyond their limits in thrilling and unique demonstrations of grace, strength and agility. These were the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games, a powerful demonstration of sport, courage and friendship with the largest audiences in history. , The celebration began with the Journey of Fire, in which the Paralympic Flaine was run through Salt Lake City to the Opening Ceremony, where even a downpour couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the athletes who assembled in Rice-Eccles Stadium. Chime-playing snow spirits and Stevie Wonder entertained. while individuals who had overcome incredible obstacles gave impassioned speeches and alpine skiers Chris Waddell and Muffy Davis lit the Paralympic Cauldron. For the next 10 days, the Paralympic theme of Mind. Body Spirit seemed to permeate the ice, fields and ski slopes of Utah. By Closing Ceremony, Americans had won the most medals - 43 - followed by Germany and Norway, while nearly a quarter of a million spectators had witnessed their inspiring performances. That evening, at Olympic Medals Plaza, athletes and fans gathered for the final time, to dance and wave flags as one last fireworks show closed the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympics. , Flag bearer Candace Cable leads Team USA into the stadium as it is introduced to the sold-out crowd during the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Opening Ceremony , Team USA joyously accepts the gold medals for Ice Sledge Hocky at the E Center, 15 March 2002. , Fans of team Norway at the ice sledge hockey gold medal match: USA vs. Norway.