The 2002 Winter Games will be history two years from Tuesday for the world's athletes who go swifter, higher and stronger. But for competitors whose motto is mind, body and spirit, the Games will be just beginning.
March 7 marks two years out from the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games for disabled athletes. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee recognized the occasion Tuesday by raising the Paralympic flag over the Salt Lake City and County Building. Mayor Rocky Anderson and Paralympic athletes Candice Cable, a Nordic skier; Chris Waddell, an alpine skier; and Manuel Guerra, an ice sled hockey player, joined in the ceremony.
"It's so funny. The Olympics are our test event," said Joann Klonowski, SLOC's managing director for the Paralympics. "We'll certainly be prepared for the Paralympics."
Preparations for the March 7-16 event are ahead of schedule, she said. SLOC's committee on access is continuing to work on ensuring venues meet or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, Klonowski said.
SLOC, the first organizing committee to stage both Olympics and Paralympics, is behind in at least one area. Klonowski said the budget is "not exactly" where it needs to be. SLOC is still going after sponsors to help put on the Paralympics, which is estimated to cost $30 million to $35 million.
The Paralympic mascot is scheduled to be unveiled next Monday at the 2000 Ice Sledge Hockey Championship, SLOC's first Paralympic test event. Sledge hockey, known in the United States as sled hockey, features disabled athletes who play hockey in a regulation rink sitting on sleds.
In addition, Paralympic merchandise, including T-shirts, hats and pins, will go on sale for the first time during the weeklong sled hockey tournament.
SLOC recently mailed invitations to countries it anticipates will send teams to Salt Lake City in 2002. To date, 25 nations have committed to participate, Klonowski said. Organizers expect 40 countries and some 600 athletes will take part in the five Paralympic sports — ice sled hockey, short-track ice sled racing, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and biathlon.