Remaining aura of the 2002 Olympics

Events unfolding in Vancouver are not so much different from those that took place eight years ago in Salt Lake City ... huge crowds, loud cheers, bells ringing, people waiting, street venders hawking their wares and an intense competitive atmosphere. And, even though eight years have passed, the Olympic aura remains here in Utah. Olympic venues are open, training continues for both current and future Olympians, world-class events are continually being held and spectators are welcome.

The Salt Lake Games are also presenting themselves well in Canada.

There are 15 competitors in the Vancouver Games that either grew up in Utah or have moved to Utah to be close to training centers. There are another 45 who come to spend a considerable amount of time training in Utah.

All of which brings constant reference to Utah's Olympic link over the airways.

Looking back, it was eight years ago that Bode Miller came into Olympic prominence, winning silver medals in the men's alpine combined and giant slalom. He lost his glitter in Italy, but has regained it and then some in Canada.

Packed audiences came to Snowbasin, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort to watch Miller, and even though he did not always medal, none were ever disappointed.

One of the busiest venues since 2002 has been the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, which is still drawing praises from speed skaters, including Apolo Ohno, who trains at the center.

The short-track events were held in the Salt Palace, and Ohno won gold in the 1,500 meters and silver in the 1,000.

Another of the busy venues is the superpipe at Park City Mountain Resort. This was pre-Shaun White domination, but still the Americans swept the men's halfpipe event.

There were some who wondered what the results would be at the Soldier Hollow cross-country venue in Midway, situated nearly a mile above sea level. It didn't change a thing. Athletes from Nordic strongholds Norway and Russia still dominated.

The biathlon at the Soldier Hollow venue proved to be a one-man show. Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen went four-for-four in gold medal victories.

The venue has, in fact, expanded its cross-country trails and now offers the biathlon experience in summer and winter.

The jumping hills at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City have become a popular spectator site in winter and summer. Jumpers from all over the world visit the center.