Remembering the 2002 Winter Olympics

In several days, the Olympic Cauldron will be lit in Vancouver, BC.  On Feb 12, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics begin.

Which takes me back to 2001...

The XIX Olympic Games took place Feb 8 through Feb 24, 2002.  The VIII Paralympics Winter Games began Mar 7 and concluded on Mar 16, 2002.  Planning, of course, began much earlier.

The Salt Lake Olympic Committee (SLOC) accredited approximately 70,000 individuals for the Salt Lake Olympics. An estimated 2,345 athletes and 1,200 officials were in attendance. More than 1,100 athletes and officials from 40 regions competed in the Paralympic Olympic Games.

We had been discussing and planning the Olympics several years prior to Salt Lake.  Our first official planning meeting with security and communications officials and personnel from Salt Lake City and Headquarters was exactly one year prior to the start of the Games in Salt Lake City.  We met in Feb, 2001 at Quantico.  The countdown began - we would regularly make note of how many days remained in our official correspondence and briefings.  We used the countdown as the backdrop for when activities needed to begin and end.  Everything was driven by the countdown.

Remember that up until Sep 11, 2001, life went along pretty much as normal (whatever normal was pre-9/11) and planning for the Games was pretty much standard for a major international event.  Lots of communications, logistics, funding, management.  But pretty standard fare.  Then 9/11 struck!

It all changed after 9/11.  Having a safe Olympics in 2002 became our rebel yell, our hallelujah, our battle cry.  It became more than just games.  It became a matter of pride and fighting back and making a statement.  Hundreds of additional people were brought on to support our end of the work.  We spent the months between Sep 2001 and Feb 2002 on so many trips back and forth between Wash DC and Salt Lake City that I don't remember how many it was.  The hotel receptionists at hotels we stayed at in Salt Lake actually knew us by name. 

But it was all community.  Having a successful Olympics was more than a production - it was a community of believers.  From volunteer residents in Salt Lake to the thousands of planning and law enforcement personnel who participated - it was all about community and helping out and making it safe and enjoyable but also about taking and making a stand.  Fear would NOT paralyze us!

We were paranoid.  Many false reports.  A lot of skittishness and nervousness.  Days that were too long.  Too much planning.  Too many backup backup systems.  But it was all to pull this thing off.  We were worn and torn but it was worth the price.  We very much wanted this to happen safely and as a demonstration of what could happen using good people on a good project.

I and several others on staff "moved" to Salt Lake City toward the end of Jan and didn't leave until Mar.  It was our home for six magical and amazing weeks.  I had a condo in Park City.  Amazing!

The night of opening ceremonies was emotional on so many different levels.  I was standing in the Joint Operations Center (JOC) looking out the window as the flame went up to open the Games.  We were about six blocks from the stadium at the JOC but had an entire wall of live video feeds from every angle at the venue so we were virtually there in every aspect.  We were in constant communications with our people on the ground at the venue.  And it was amazingly satisfying to know that the Games had opened.    

Through the following weeks, there were a few scares but the perimeters were so tight I don't know how anyone could have penetrated them - but that was the whole point to the cat-and-mouse that we played.  I was proud of our team and what we were able to do.  We stood watches in the JOC 24x7 the whole time.  A good bunch of people with an honest desire to do the right thing.

Fast forward now - it all worked and no major issues.  It was a fantastic event.

Then the depression and post-event let-down set in.  The local office had already arranged for some therapists to come in to be available to talk with people.  After spending 2 - 3 years on this - and with 9/11 stuck in the middle for flair - it all ended!  It just ended!

I remember being able to visit with my parents a week or so after the Games - I drove down from Salt Lake City.  I was asked to lead a prayer at a Sunday service.  Of course, I was glad to do this.  I had been wound tight for several months and was finding it a bit hard to slow down.  I recall rising and then leading the prayer.  I thanked God for the safe and profoundly emotional event.  And I specifically remember thanking God for my mates and the Olympic community - and I wept.  I was so overcome by the whole thing.  And it had to come out.

The next few days were a time of recuperation.  Of course, life went on.  No one or nothing stopped for me and the hundreds who served.  We all had to get up and keep going.  Some even commented, "Oh, the Olympics?  I missed that."  Yes, life can be brutal.  But life is that, isn't it?

But for just a few months, we were the best.  We were the ones carrying the torch just like the athletes.  We were in the Games just like the athletes. 

And I have a big gold Salt Lake 2002 Olympic medal to prove it.

God be with my mates who are working the 2010 Vancouver Games beginning in a few days.  Charlie, you and your people will do fine.  They will be just as engaged and passionate about their work and purpose in Vancouver and Seattle as were the excellent people in my Olympic community in 2002 in Salt Lake City.

Comments

[Charlie R]

It seems odd, the OCC (Bellingham) has grown to where I never expected it to be. Your words run true Fred, already I am wondering what life will be like come the end of March; when we say so long, been good to know you and walk away with memories.