The 2002 Winter Paralympics, which ran March 7 until 18, 2002, have become known as the competition that first generated big spectator crowds for Paralympic winter sports and opened the sport to a new fan base.

The Games drew 416 athletes from 13 countries across four different sports, and due to a high demand of tickets, the total number available had to be increased from 225,000 to 248,000.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) chief executive Xavier Gonzalez led the tributes for the 10-year anniversary describing the competition in the American city as truly phenomenal.

"The Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games were truly an event to remember," said Gonzalez, who was managing director of the Paralympics for the Salt Lake Organising Committee.

"With such a high demand for tickets and a swarm of accredited media around the venues, the winter spectacle pushed the Paralympic Movement to new heights and created further awareness for athletes with a disability in sports, as well as in society.


"It was also fantastic to see the Salt Lake Organizing Committee fully integrate the organisation of the Paralympics with the Olympics."

During the Games, one of the highlights came when Nordic skier Verena Bentele (pictured) captured four of Germany's 12 golds, winning three distances in the women's visually impaired cross-country skiing competition, as well as the 7.5km biathlon.

"My performance there was perfect," said Bentele, who now has a total of 12 Paralympic gold medals and was crowned the 2011 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.

"I liked a lot the volunteers and spectators in Salt Lake City.

"People living in this area were very open and welcomed all athletes very warmly."



Sylvester Flis, who was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the United States' gold-medal winning Ice Sledge Hockey team at the 2002 Games, also paid tribute to the event.

"Hands down, the crowd in the stands and their involvement was definitely the most memorable for me," he said.

"Salt Lake put themselves on the map of being a good example of the Paralympics."

Salt Lake City is now considering a bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games because most of the facilities needed already built.

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