[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2069-S2070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SALT LAKE 2002 PARALYMPIC WINTER GAMES

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, during the last 2 weeks of February, the 
world watched the 2002 Winter Olympic Games held in our home State of 
Utah. The success of these games and the achievement of the competing 
athletes have been recognized as high points in the long Olympic 
tradition. We are all proud of the spectacular athletic accomplishments 
of the participation and support of this outstanding event.
  Today I rise, as a Senator from the great State of Utah, to call 
attention to and express support for the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic 
Games which concluded with the closing ceremony this past Saturday.
  As meaningful and significant as the 2002 Winter Olympic Games have 
been, the Paralympic Winter Games, perhaps, elevate that significance, 
for paralympic athletes must not only excel in athletic skill and 
prowess, but must also accommodate a disabling condition.
  During the 10 days of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games, 
world-class athletes brought together their minds, their bodies, their 
spirits, and their determination to pursue the highest level of 
performance and commitment.
  I especially want to recognize the fantastic achievements of our 
athletes from Utah. Steve Cook showed incredible speed and skill 
earning four silver medals in cross country skiing events--the 5K, the 
10K, as an anchor on the relay, and the biathlon.
  No less exceptional was Muffy Davis who was awarded three silver 
medals in alpine skiing. Her performances were stellar.
  Lacey Heward excelled in both the Super G and the Giant Slalom, 
winning bronze medals in both events.
  Also winning two bronze medals was Christopher Waddell in the Giant 
Slalom and downhill skiing event. Christopher also captured a silver 
medal in alpine skiing.
  Monte Meier, through strength and courage won a silver medal in 
alpine skiing. Our alpine skiing is exceptional in Utah.
  Stephani Victor earned a bronze in the downhill skiing through her 
great diligence and prowess.
  No less outstanding is the participation of Daniel Metivier and Keith 
Barney, who also gave their all in these games. The stellar achievement 
of our Utah athletes has been magnificent. I am so proud of their 
excellence.
  While it is fitting that the U.S. Senate express recognition and 
praise to these outstanding athletes, I cannot forget to applaud their 
dedicated coaches, trainers, and families. These individuals provide 
the needed unconditional support for the athletes. Though they stand in 
the background, they are no less deserving of Olympic glory.
  I compliment the U.S. Olympic Committee, which is designated as the 
National Paralympic Organization. Under

[[Page S2070]]

the direction of President Sandy Baldwin and Chief Executive Officer 
Lloyd Ward, the U.S. Olympic Committee has offered their incredible 
support for these games.
  I also pay tribute to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, SLOC, for 
taking the challenge to improve on the success of the Utah Winter 
Olympics by organizing and carrying out the 2002 Paralympic Winter 
Games. Nancy Gonsalves, who has been at the head of this venture for 
the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, is to be commended.
  My colleagues might be interested to learn that this was the first 
time the Paralympic Winter Games have been held in the United States. 
It was also the first time a local organizing committee assumed the 
responsibility for the organization, acquiring of sponsors, and staging 
of the games. The contributions of the sponsors, the volunteers, and 
SLOC were essential to the success of the Salt Lake 2002 Winter 
Paralympic Games. The commitment of the people in Salt Lake City and 
the great state of Utah deserve our appreciation and recognition.
  In addition, I wish to give special recognition to the national media 
for the attention they gave to the Paralympic Winter Games. The purpose 
of the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games, the events, and the individual 
stories of the athletes were covered more extensively by the national 
and international media than in any previous Paralympic games. This 
coverage suggests that we, as a society, not only recognize outstanding 
physical performance requiring concentration, dedication, and 
discipline, but, in addition, we recognize the challenges that must be 
accommodated by people with disabilities. These Paralympic Games proved 
that there is no limit to what an individual can accomplish.
  The Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games enriched the lives of 
thousands of people with disabilities and their families. Even more 
important, they enriched the lives of those of us fortunate enough to 
live free of disability. I wish to commend the dedication and 
commitment of the athletes, their families, their trainers, the Salt 
Lake Organizing Committee, and the citizens of the great State of Utah.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I rise today to join my colleague from 
Utah in recognizing the outstanding success of the Salt Lake 2002 
Paralympic Winter Games. Ten days after the conclusion of the Winter 
Olympic Games, another group of elite athletes from around the world 
gathered in Salt Lake City to push the limits of physical achievement. 
These athletes, along with their coaches, trainers, families, and many 
volunteers, made the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games a remarkable 10-day 
event.
  The paralympic movement began in 1948, when Sir Ludwig Guttmann 
organized a sports competition for World War II veterans with spinal 
cord injuries in Stoke Mandeville, England. From that small beginning 
came what we now know as the Paralympic Games, which have grown 
dramatically in recent years. The Salt Lake games were the eighth 
official Paralympic Winter Games, with over 1,000 world class athletes 
from 36 countries competing in 100 medal events.
  While the athletes at the Paralympic Games all have some form of 
disability, the level of competition is no less intense. Because the 
games emphasize the participants' athletic achievements rather than 
their disabilities, spectators quickly forget that these athletes face 
special challenges and instead focus on the thrill of competition.
  I am proud of the accomplishments of my State during the past 2 
months. The Paralympic Games were an outstanding partner to the Olympic 
Games. I congratulate everyone involved, especially the athletes, who 
showed us that with dedication and commitment, no obstacle is too great 
to overcome.

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