Salt Lake City 2002 - ISB Broadcast Opening Sequence (Re-Upload)

Copyright (c) 2002 International Sports Broadcasting Held from 8 to 24 February 2002, the XIX Winter Olympic Games came to America with the Utah capital of Salt Lake City, this time, playing as hosts. Utah, at this moment, became the fifth US state to host the Olympic Games, following the footsteps set by Missouri (Summer 1904), New York State (Winter 1932; 1980), California (Winter 1960, Summer 1932; 1984), and Georgia (Summer 1996). Salt Lake City was picked during the 104th IOC Session in Budapest, Hungary in 1995, beating bids from Östersund in Sweden, Sion in Switzerland and Quebec City in Canada after receiving 54 votes. The selection process then became a fuel of a scandal that involved allegations of bribery used to give Salt Lake City the hosting rights. IOC members were accused of taking gifts from the Salt Lake City bid team during the bidding process; the allegations resulted in the expulsion of several IOC members and the adoption of new rules in electing Olympic host cities. Although nothing strictly illegal had been done, it was felt that the acceptance of the gifts was morally dubious. The event has attracted 2,399 athletes from 78 countries, participating in 78 medal events over 15 disciplines in 7 sports, an increase of 10 events over the programme of the Nagano Olympics four years prior. Adding to the return of skeleton for the first time since St. Moritz 1948, a women's event was contested for the first time in bobsleigh. A new distance was introduced in short track speed skating for both genders, and pursuit events were introduced in biathlon and cross-country skiing. The sprint event was also added at the Nordic combined competitions. The Salt Lake Games, perhaps, came just five months after 9/11, which meant a higher degree of security to avoid a potential terrorist attack. The opening ceremony saw signs of the aftermath of the tragic events of that day, which sees the tattered US flag that flew at the World Trade Centre site have been carried into the stadium by eight American athletes, joining along with the members of the Port Authority police, and representatives from the New York City police and fire departments. Norway emerged themselves as the Games' topnotchers, having won 13 gold and 25 medals overall, while Germany finished at runners-up position with the most total medals, having won 36; twelve of which were gold. Hosts USA was third by gold medals and second by overall medals, with 10 and 34 respectively. Notably, Australia became the first Southern Hemisphere country to ever win Winter Olympic golds, collecting two at the courtesy of short track skater Steven Bradbury and freestyle skier Alisa Camplin. The Games finished with a budgetary surplus of US$40 million; the surplus was used to fund the formation of the Utah Athletic Foundation - which has continued to maintain the facilities built for these Olympics. The venues have continued to be used for national and international winter sports events after the 2002 Games, while the USOPC backed the possibility of Salt Lake City bidding for the Winter Olympics again; they eventually set up a project for the 2034 edition, and on 24 July 2024, being named a preferred host and a lone candidate in contention, the city is chosen to host the 2034 Winter Games during the IOC's 142nd Session held in Paris ahead of that year's Summer Olympics.