By KIMBERLY NIELSEN
Nielsen@newsroom.byu.edu
Utah's preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics has a whole new element: preparation for the Paralympics.
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee is making history as they become the first committee to host both the Olympics and the Paralympics.
The Games will be held from March 7-16, 2002, with opening and closing ceremonies at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium.
'The Paralympics is for those with physical ailments,' said Joann Klonowski, Managing Director of the Paralympic 2002 Winter Games. 'This must not be confused with the Special Olympics.'
Around 1,100 athletes and officials will participate from 40 countries.
The Paralympic Games consist of 34 events in five areas of discipline:
* Ice-sledge Hockey
* Short Track Racing
* Alpine Skiing
* Cross Country Skiing
* Biathlon
'Our mission is to provide an environment of excellence, integration, and accessibility for participating athletes and officials,' said Klonowski.
According to Klonowski, the winter sports will be divided into three disability categories: LW, which is defined as athletes with locomotor disabilities; Sitting, which are those with higher locomotor disabilities; and standing, which are those with lower locomotor disabilities.
Sponsorship is the same for both Games, except the Olympic Properties of the United States (OPUS) will be adding a salesman from each sponsor specifically for the Paralympics.
The term Paralympics comes from the prefix 'para' which is defined as parallel to the Olympics.
The Games have been held since 1960.
'We are pleased with the progress of the Paralympic activities,' said Mitt Romney, President and CEO of the SLOC. 'We look to Joann to deliver integrated Games.'
Klonowski is known for her experience in sport management.
'Joann's experience in Atlanta in 1996 qualifies her for this position and we look forward to working closely with her in ensuring first-class Games in 2002,' said Robert Steadward, President of the International Paralympic Committee.