2002 Winter Olympics

The XIX Olympic Winter Games were held in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Other candidate cities were Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Sion, Switzerland; and Östersund, Sweden.

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2002 - Salt Lake City - Utah - United States - Quebec City - Quebec - Canada - Sion - Switzerland - Östersund - Sweden

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Prior to these Olympic Winter Games, a number of IOC members were forced to resign after it was uncovered that they had accepted inappropriately valuable gifts in return for voting for Salt Lake City to hold the Games. New IOC president Jacques Rogge and new CEO of the Salt Lake Games Mitt Romney then staged the Games and contended with the public opinion backlash due to the scandal.

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IOC - Jacques Rogge - Mitt Romney

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The September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack also required a higher level of security than ever before provided for an Olympiad. Homeland Security designated the Olympics a National Special Security Event (NSSE). During the opening ceremonies, Rogge, presiding over his first olympics as IOC president, told the athletes of the host country that their nation was overcoming the horrific tragedy and stand with them in their ideals.

Related Topics:
September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack - Homeland Security - National Special Security Event

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Controversies continued into the Games. In the first week the pairs figure skating competition resulted in the French judge's scores being thrown out and the Canadian team of Jamie Salé and David Pelletier being awarded a second gold medal. Athletes in short-track speed skating and cross-country skiing were disqualified for various reasons as well (including doping), leading Russia and South Korea to file protests and threaten to withdraw from competition.

Related Topics:
Pairs figure skating - Jamie Salé - David Pelletier - Doping

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