Culture represents the blend of cultures that make up the region's unique American heritage. Courage is the spirit of the athletes and the true essence of the Games. An estimated 18,000 volunteers will help stage the Games. A volunteer registration program will be launched in early 2000. Schoolchildren will adopt different countries and will learn about them in preparation for the 2002 Games.
Plans are to expand the program to the state level.
An estimated 9,000 broadcast and print media are expected to cover the Games. The 1998 Olympic Winter Games were televised in about 160 countries. Utah's quest to host the Olympic Winter Games dates back to 1966. The Olympic Winter Games date back to 1924 in Chamonix, France, with 16 countries and 294 athletes. Salt Lake 2002 marks the fourth time the United States has hosted the Games including Lake Placid, N.Y., in 1932 and 1980 and Squaw Valley, Calif., in 1960.