Remembering the 2002 Olympics

As I have watched the winter Olympics this year it has brought all the memories back of my time volunteering for the 2002 Olympics here. I had the most amazing time and thought I better include it on the blog before it is lost FOREVER! I was so fortunate to be involved early on before the Olympic games came by working at some world cup events like Curling (Ogden ice sheet)and sledge hockey (parolympic hockey at the E center) a few years ahead of the Olympics actually coming here...

Then just before in December I helped put together the little booklets that each volunteer would receive and I met my dear friend Mark from Canada who was in charge of the books. We would meet up all over during both the Olympics and Parolympics and remain friends today. I had to include this picture because I was working the Parolympics when Mark saw me before I saw him and he came running up and picked me up off the ground and scared me to death. So I had to show I could pick him up as well. I am old enough to be his mother.

I put in a lot of hours when my kids were in school and Scott encouraged me to do all I could knowing that this was probably a once in a life time opportunity.

Scott even gave me a surprise Olympic birthday party!

For the Olympic volunteers they had a dress rehearsal of the opening ceremonies, I was asked to work it so Scott went in my place. I did security and tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, worked at snow basin, and in the parking lot at the mouth of Weber canyon going through bags. (notice my friends and neighbor Jean who worked with me too!)

This is the beginning of my pin collection! Everyone traded pins and my collection has grown.

This is how I looked coming home many nights. Thank goodness 2 of my boys were their to meet me.

We also took the opportunity to attend some of the events like downhill skiing at snow basin with Ben.

and....

the Bobsled at the Olympic park in Park city with Josh. We couldn't get Aaron and Stacy to go they were to busy I guess (teenagers right?).

We also attended a concert (Dave Mathews Band) at the medals plaza and tried to hit all the sites around town during those 2 weeks.

I got to be up close and personal for the closing ceremony!! I was lucky enough since I missed the opening ceremony working outside the stadium to be doing security right in front of the stage.

The highlight was meeting Derek Parra, he went around shaking some of the volunteers hands right after the ceremonies, Derek won a Gold Medal - 1500m WORLD RECORD and a Silver Medal 5000m AMERICAN RECORD as a speed skater.

Also meeting Mitt!!!

And meeting up with my friend Melissa in the purple coat at the party they gave the volunteers when it was all done.

I LOVE THE WINTER OLYMPICS!! It rocked to be a volunteer!