Ten years on, Olympic spirit is still alive in Utah

Intermountain Catholic

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Freestyle skier Shannon Bahrke, Olympic silver medalist, passes the torch to speed skater Derek Parra, Olympic gold medalist, just before the caldron is re-lit to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Also pictured is Jimmy Shea, gold medalist skeleton racer. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of people gathered Feb. 8 at Rice-Eccles Stadium to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games with a ceremony that relit the Olympic caldron.

Among them were many Catholics who participated as athletes, torch bearers and volunteers at the Salt Lake City games.

"The re-lighting of the caldron is great because it ignites the spirit of the 2002 Games," said Derek Parra, 2002 speed skating gold medalist and world record holder. "2002 was such a great time for this city and our country just after Sept. 11, (2001). The way our teams performed gave Americans the momentum to get back on our feet after that tragedy. The re-lighting of the flame for me is very significant of that time in our country and the spirit we had at the Games with the world coming together, because everybody was feeling the impact of Sept. 11.

"I hope the youth in this state will re-light that fire within and want to learn more about the Olympics and set goals academically, through sports or careers to once again bring the Games to Utah," said Parra.

Volunteers and torchbearers recalled how the flame lit up Utah as it traveled across the state in the torch relay to begin the winter games. The torchbearers were chosen because they had overcome severe illness or great obstacles.

Cancer survivor and Olympic volunteer Connie Wimer, a Holy Family parishioner, helped bring coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games to her home country of Germany.

"Television stations from Germany were with the whole day of my run," she said. "They picked me up early that morning and took me to Antelope Island to make a video and ran it in Germany when the games began.

"The torch was heavy, so I practiced how I would hold it in my left hand because I had breast cancer on my right side, but the minute the torch was passed off to me I carried it in my right hand and just started going. It was so exciting. It brings back so many emotions as I remember seeing my friends and groups I belong to lined up along the road cheering. The Olympics were so good for us because they brought a lot of business and tourism to Utah."

Wimer and her husband, Ken, volunteered as translators during the Olympics because they speak French, German, Spanish and English.

"I met so many people, I could tell you stories forever," she said. "The Olympics were magical."

Karen Fisher, of Saint Olaf Parish, remembers the thrill she had carrying the torch especially riding the bus to the drop-off point.

"They said we would be instant rock stars and it was like that, with people banging on the bus windows and cheering," she said. "On my torch run, I ran under the flag being held up by the fire department and that meant the world to me since I collect anything that has to do with the flag. It was one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life."

Ida Brunatti and her son Dennis, from Saint Ann Parish, were volunteers during the 2002 Olympic Games. At 91, Ida was the oldest volunteer and served as an Italian translator in the media center.

"I also worked security," she said. "The Olympics were fun."

Dennis Brunatti worked in the international center, solving issues such as the Russian news media wanting to take a tour of Hill Air Force Base.

"That was possibly a high security risk that had to be cleared," he said. "The Olympics brought national and world recognition to Utah. People went away remembering how nice they were treated and how nice the accommodations were here."