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PARK CITY — Of all the success Fraser Bullock has had in his life, none of it brings that certain smile like when he talks about 2002, when he was the Chief Operating Officer for Utah's Winter Olympics.
"For Salt Lake, the Olympics were so special because everything came together. The entire community, everyone, right after 9/11. It brought the world together," Bullock said.
You can still feel that spirit inside Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Salt Lake stars like speed skaters Apolo Anton Ohno and Derek Parra, skier Shannon Bahrke, and figure skater Sarah Hughes are part of a 2002 museum that houses moments from the games, medals, and even that hard-to-find fry sauce pin.
"For many of us, it became part of our souls,” Bullock said. “So the roots go very deep, and we just want to remember those very special days.”
It's also why a lot of this magic will be remembered during a 15-year anniversary party on Feb. 4 at Soldier Hollow, site of cross-country skiing in 2002. It will be a public celebration of the Games.
"Fifteen years, where did the time go?” Bullock said. “It was the best party in the history of Utah.”
What are the chances of Salt Lake City hosting the Winter Olympics again? Bullock said “pretty good.”
"The proximity to the mountains, the great city we have here, (and) most importantly, the great people. We have the venues, so we can host the Games again," he said.
But before thinking about the future, Bullock wants everyone to remember the past — to a time when Salt Lake City was truly the center of the world.
"Anybody from the public who is an Olympic enthusiast, please come out and enjoy the celebration," he said.
For more information on the 15-year anniversary celebration, visit utaholympiclegacy.org/2002legacycelebration/.
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
