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SALT LAKE CITY -- At the time, Picabo Street was a major attraction here in Northern Utah. Her strong record for bringing home medals from Nagano drew big crowds and high hopes for the downhill skier. These days, her focus has turned more towards the family - and the younger generation.
Ending a long and successful career, street pushed down the slopes at Snowbasin in front of a record American crowd. With about 24,000 cheering her on, she finished in 16th place that day.
"I cannot say that I looked back on my career in any way and (said) ‘I'm disappointed,'" Street said.
And nowadays she's looking forward to passing on her legacy by helping children.
"(I) love mentoring the young ones, getting them going and dreaming and fired up and making good choices and volunteering and being a positive contributing citizen," She said.
She also spends plenty of time teacher her four kids how to ski.
Street continues to host the Picabo Ski Challenge each year, drawing professional athletes and celebrities to race in order to raise money to help victims of child abuse.
But her efforts for the youth go beyond that.
"As I go out and I speak to schools, and I speak to groups, I really encourage young kids to pay attention to the world and what's going on out there," she said. "Pay attention to the inequalities that are out there and see if there is a way you can build a bridge between them and span that gap."
It isn't only the stars of the 2002 Olympics that are remembering the games and celebrating during this anniversary year. Celebrations were under way Thursday in Weber and Davis counties with a special volunteer reunion at Snow Basin.
It was a nice day for skiing, and for re-kindling old friendships, some of which go back to when Snowbasin hosted tens of thousands of visitors during the downhill, combined, and super-g ski competitions. Some are even anxious for a reprise of 2002.
"I just hope (Salt Lake can) get (the Olympics) again," said former volunteer Bonnie Melendez. "I mean, all the venues are in place. It's a perfect location to have the Olympics again."
Olympic volunteers gathered for a group picture and took time to reflect on those once in a lifetime memories.
"It's just a fantastic thing to see everybody come together again said Mike McBride with the GOAL foundation. "The Olympic legacy that was left, the volunteer spirit that was here, is exemplified with this group of people." Each of them had their own unique experiences.
"To watch Bodie Miller come down and pull that out, when I thought he was in the snow, and be able to pull it off," remembered Dennis Daniels.
Through volunteering, Lee Stone says he gained a lasting love for curling.
"It was exciting, it was interesting. I loved it. It's a great sport," he said.
Stone and Robert Richardson remember working hard trying to help others appreciate it too.
"When we said we were with curling, they're going, ‘Like curling with weights?'"
Returning volunteers can also get lift tickets up at Snowbasin for $20.02 when they wear their 2002 jackets.
