Before Utah dreamed of NHL teams, MLB expansion, or downtown sports districts, it hosted the world. The 2002 Winter Olympics didn’t just redefine Salt Lake City — they redefined what Utah believed it could be. In this episode, we trace the state’s transformation from a small-market host plagued by scandal to one of the most successful Olympic cities in modern history. From the bribery fallout and Mitt Romney’s rescue mission to the unforgettable moments — Sarah Hughes’ gold, Jim Shea’s emotional win, and Vonetta Flowers’ groundbreaking victory — this was the Games that rebuilt Utah’s global reputation.

We’ll revisit how the venues built for 2002 became the backbone of Utah’s sports identity — the Utah Olympic Oval, Park City’s training centers, Rice-Eccles Stadium, and even the modern-day Delta Center. The Games left more than medals; they left a blueprint for how Utah would host, grow, and dream big. And now, with the 2034 Olympics returning, that legacy is coming full circle — proving that Utah’s flame never burned out, it just moved forward. 

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