Blog: Lighting the Fire Within

Statement

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games are upon us. Selected to host the Games in July of 2007, this is the first time the Russian Federation has hosted the Olympics since the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Moscow games in 1980 were marred in controversy with the United States boycotting the games because of the Soviet regime's invasion of Afghanistan.

What a difference 34 years make. The United States proudly sends its best athletes to the shores of our former foe to perform at the highest levels of excellence. What makes the Olympics so remarkable is that controversial geo-political issues take a back seat to the international love of sport and competition that unites every country and people.

But while sport unites us, everyone across America and Utah will be cheering for Team USA to do us proud.

The Olympics -- the preparations, the training, the pride -- remind Utahns of when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Games. Utah was the center of the sports world. We hosted what can only be considered one of the most successful winter games ever held. Our state surpassed all expectations and set the highest level of excellence that has endured not only to these winter Olympics but hopefully many Olympic games to come.

This once-every four year event brings people together from every corner of our country and the world. We cheer on our athletes for their determination and skill after years of grueling training, hard work and sacrifice.

These games are a first in that they'll have the most American athletes ever participating. And for Utah, 15 athletes will proudly represent our state and our nation in Russia.

It's no wonder so many amazing athletes in the Winter Olympics call Utah home. Our mountains have generated a love of winter sports that have made our state a top-notch sporting destination. From Park City to Alta, Utah's reputation is world-wide.

Let's take a look at those Utahns traveling to Sochi.

Starting with skiing, Jared Golberg of Salt Lake City, Ted Ligety and Megan McJames of Park City, and Steven Nyman of Sundance will compete in different skiing events -- from slalom and downhill to super G and super combined.

Sarah Hendrickson, Jessica Jerome, Anders Johnson, Lindsey Van, and Joss Christensen, all from the Park City area, will hit the slopes for Team USA in alpine and free-style skiing competitions as well.

But Utahns won't just be seen on skiis. Steven Holcomb of Park City and Chris Fogt of Alpine will participate in the 2-man and 4-man bobsledding events. Fay Gulini of Salt Lake City and Sage Kotsenburg of Park City will compete in two different snowboarding events. Lastly, we'll see Preston Griffall of Salt Lake City on the Luge and Noelle Pikus-Pace of Orem on the Skeleton.

To all of these Utahns, your neighbors, friends, and families will be right there with you in spirit as you take the world stage for the United States.

It's an honor to represent Utah in the Senate, but that's nothing compared with the pride our Olympians will have holding the American flag in Sochi.

The Olympic Games have the power to unite us as a state and nation -- and indeed the world -- in rooting for excellence and for the sacrifice these athletes make to represent their nation on this truly global stage. I hope you'll join me in supporting and rooting for not only our Utahns in Russia, but all Team USA as well.

While we root for gold, every one of our America's athletes is a champion. Go USA!

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