2002 Olympics will impact Cache Valley
With one of the biggest events in the world coming to Utah February, some plans are starting to take shape in Logan.
The 2002 Winter Olympic Games will mainly be centered in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas, but Logan won’t be totally left out.
The Olympic torch will be run through Cache Valley on its way to Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake Olympic Committee reserved rooms at local hotels well in advance for the two-week Olympics.
“This was done as a precaution to the possible overflow of participants and spectators,” said Maridean Hancock, director of tourism at the Cache Chamber of Commerce.
Janet Borg, of the Bridgerland Ice Arena, said the Swiss Olympic Ice Hockey Team is planning to use the arena as a practice venue. The Swiss team will be in Logan Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 for practice. On Feb. 5, the Swiss team will play the Slovakia Olympic team in an exhibition game.
“This is contingent upon the completion of the ice arena, but there has been a gentleman’s agreement made between the teams and ice arena officials,” Borg said. The arena is scheduled to be finished by Dec. 30.
Logan Mayor Doug Thompson said the French national ice skating team is also entertaining the idea of training in the Logan area.
“With the French national team opening discussions on training at the ice arena, the direct impact of the Olympics will be prevalent,” Thompson said.
But many Cache Valley officials say the longest lasting impact of the Olympics will be less tangible. Utah will be featured on the international map as never before, and that will include Cache Valley.
“This is a golden opportunity to get involved as volunteers and provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend the Olympics,” Thompson said.
He said it also gives many area facilities an excuse to improve, which will benefit future residents long after the Olympics have come and gone.
The effect on students will also be noticeable: No class.
John DeVilbiss, director of Media Relations and Marketing at Utah State University, said in support of the Olympics, USU will not be holding classes for one of the two weeks the Olympics will be in Utah.
“We at Utah State University are proud that our state will be hosting the Winter Olympics,” he said. “We celebrate human achievement, both in the sports arena as well as in the classroom, and seek balance in both.”
Logan will allot 16 officers – a quarter of the department – to help with security needs at the Olympics venues in Ogden, said Lt. James Gier of the Logan Police Department.
A security force in excess of 4,000 officers is needed for the games, he said. Utah has 2,500, which means the surrounding states will be making up the other 1,500.