2002 Winter Olympics (feb 8, 2002 – feb 24, 2002)

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The 2002 Winter Olympics took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, from 8th–24th February 2002. The games came just a few months after the 9/11 attacks, adding a layer of poignancy and unity to the event. A record 77 nations, with 2,399 athletes, participated across 78 events in seven sports. Germany led the medal count with a total of 36, followed by the United States with 34 and Norway with 25.

A key moment of the Games was the opening ceremony, which included a tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. A damaged American flag recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center was carried by an honour guard of athletes. Utah's Native American heritage was also celebrated.

The 2002 Winter Olympics were the first Winter Olympics held after the formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency, resulting in the first instances of athletes being disqualified for failing drug testing. Athletes in cross-country skiing were disqualified for various reasons, including doping by two Russians and a Spaniard, leading Russia to file protests and threaten to withdraw from the games. The games were also noted for a judging scandal in the pairs figure skating, which led to a shared gold medal for the Russian and Canadian pairs.

Despite the controversy, the 2002 Winter Olympics were hailed as a financial success for Salt Lake City and left a lasting legacy in terms of sports venues and infrastructural development.

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