Olympic flame bright.

• Author: Francom, Sarah Ryther
• Position: Olympic Flame

On June 15,1995, thousands of people gathered in Hungary or remotely around their televisions as the next Olympic city was announced. The competition was tough. The cities vying to host the 2002 Winter Games were Oestersund, Sweden; Sion, Switzerland; Quebec City, Canada; and Salt Lake City, Utah--a city many had never heard of. Still, cheers erupted when Salt Lake was officially named the host city. It was an announcement that would put Salt Lake, and the entire state of Utah, on a different trajectory. From nearly the moment the announcement was made, the greater Salt Lake area began evolving into Olympic city.

Nearly $2 billion was injected into the state during the next several years to prepare for the games. From airport renovations to massive highway improvements and mass transit developments, to the magnificent Olympic venues that still stand today, the nearly $2 billion investment was at that time the largest amount in Olympic history.

After the games, Utah felt an immediate economic impact. The state saw $4.8 billion in sales, $1.5 billion in earnings and 35,000 jobs, all of which added up to a $1.25 billion direct economic impact, according to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget.

But as the event faded to a memory, many wondered if the dollars injected into the state would have a lasting impact. Would Utah see a return on the investment? This February marks the 15th anniversary of the 2002 Winter Games, and though many years have passed, it's clear that Utah's Olympic legacy is still burning bright.

AN INTERNATIONAL INFOMERCIAL

On February 8, 2002, Utah kicked off the XIX Olympic Winter Games and opened its doors to the world. While thousands flocked to the Beehive State to watch, volunteer or participate in the games, an estimated 2 billion people from across the globe watched the games from afar, many who were likely unfamiliar with Salt Lake or Utah. But for the next 16 days, they would get to know the humble state. The immediate media value was estimated to be $210 million.

Fraser Bullock, who served as COO of the Utah Winter Olympics, says the games sparked attention and interest in Utah-- attention and interest that has strengthened during the past 15 years. "Around the world, Utah was relatively unknown, and Salt Lake was relatively unknown. I would travel the world frequently before the games and say, 'I'm from Utah,' and in other countries, people would say, 'Where is that?' Many people hadn't heard of Utah. After the games, when I say I'm from Utah or Salt Lake, they say, 'Oh, Utah put on an amazing Olympic Games.'"

"ft was a 16-day...