Utah Olympic Oval
Encyclopedia
The Utah Olympic Oval, an indoor speed skating
oval built for the 2002 Winter Olympics
, is located 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Salt Lake City, in Kearns, Utah
. The Oval hosted the long track speed skating
events for the 2002 games. Inside the facility the 400-meter skating track surrounds two international sized ice sheets, and is itself surrounded by a 442-meter running track. Thanks to its high altitude, 4675 feet (1,425 m), and the associated low air resistance, 10 Olympic and 9 world records were set at the oval during the 2002 games, the largest number of world records ever set at one event. Following the 2002 Olympics the oval temporarily held the title of "Fastest Ice on Earth".
and the Utah Olympic Park
, the Utah Olympic Oval was built specifically for the 2002 Winter Olympics. On October 5, 1992 the Utah Sports Authority chose the Oquirrh Park Fitness Center in Kearns as the site for the 2002 Olympic Oval, beating out other locations in West Valley City
, Sandy
and downtown Salt Lake City
. Funds from the 1989 Olympic referendum would be used to construct the oval, and would be repaid with profits from the games. The plans called for using $3.7 million of tax payer money to construct the oval, which would be an outdoor facility. If Salt Lake City won its 1995 bid for the 2002 games, Olympic funds would be used to cover the oval, and build a ice sheet in the center of the track. By the time the groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 1994, the price tag had increased to $4.1 million, with an expected completion date sometime that December. Because of cold temperatures and a wet spring, cement for the oval could not be poured, and the oval didn't open until September 1, 1995, almost a year behind schedule. The oval was formally dedicated in a ceremony, attended by Olympian Cathy Turner
, on January 12, 1996. Prior to it being covered and used during the Olympic games, the oval would be used for inline skating during the summer and ice skating during the winter months.
After Salt Lake City won the 2002 Olympic bid on June 16, 1995, Salt Lake Organizing Committee
(SLOC) began the design process for a permanent cover for the oval. During the cover's design process it was decided to pull up and replace the entire original oval. The new oval was designed by Gilles Stransky Brems Smith of Salt Lake City, and constructed by Layton Construction. Work on the new oval began in June 1999 at an estimated cost of $27 million. To keep those costs down, and give a unobstructed view of the ice, the roof would be constructed similar to a suspension bridge
. Between twenty-four masts, twelve on each side of the building, steel cables nearly 400 feet (121.9 m) long and 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) in diameter were strung, suspending the roof above the oval.
On April 19, 2000 as construction was progressing on the oval, some of the bolts holding the roof's cables sheared, causing part of the roof to collapse. Following an investigation into the cause of the accident and repairs, construction resumed in July 2000. Construction on the oval was further delayed when three weeks after the concrete floor was poured, the freeze tubes in numerous spots were found to have moved off their rebar supports and had floated out of alignment. It was determined that entire floor was going to have to be torn up and replaced, or else the ice might not freeze evenly. After a new floor was poured, and had cured, the final coat of ice was added to the track on February 12, 2001; just in time for four Olympic speed skaters to test out the new venue later that afternoon. The first event held in the new oval was the World Single Distance Championships
, on March 9–11, 2001. On March 9, 2001, the first day of competitions, a press briefing to introduce the facility was held. Members of SLOC with the design and construction teams were present to introduce the oval to the public.
The completed building has 275000 square feet (25,548.3 m²), roughly the size of four football fields, it is 310 feet (94 m) wide by 655 feet (200 m) long, with a ceiling 55 feet (17 m) high; the low ceiling allowed the temperature inside to be easily maintained at the appropriate conditions. The completed facility contained the 400-meter oval skating track, which surrounded two international size hockey ice sheets. Under the ice sheets and track are 33 miles (53 km) of freeze tubes which keep the concrete base at 18 °F (-7.8 °C) year-round. In the end the oval ended up costing $30 million, and on his blog, ex-SLOC CEO
and politician, Mitt Romney
brags that the Utah Olympic Oval was 10 percent the cost of the Richmond Olympic Oval
used during the 2010 Winter Olympics
.
events. For the competitions temporary seating was installed and the oval had a capacity for about 5,200 spectators, plus press members. 100 percent of available tickets for the venue's events were sold, allowing 53,056 spectators to witness events in the oval.
. As part of the multi-purpose recreation complex, known as Oquirrh Park Fitness Center, the oval currently houses the original 400-meter oval skating track, two international size ice sheets, an indoor soccer/arena football/lacrosse field, a 442-meter running track, an eight-lane 110-meter sprint track, weight room, locker facilities and team rooms, meeting rooms, a concession, gifts and gear shop, plus skate rentals. Staking lessons are also offered by the foundation. The U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team is currently headquartered in the oval, and has been since January 2001.
, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics
(which is the second highest). Because of the elevation, there is less air resistance for the skaters and less oxygen frozen into the ice, making it harder, denser and faster.
During the 2002 Olympic games all ten speed skating events held in the oval set Olympic records. The oval still maintains eight, thanks in part to the relatively low elevation of both the 2006
and 2010
Olympic Ovals. Before and after the Olympics, the oval has hosted many local and international speed skating competitions and as of December 2010, ten current world records have been set inside the oval. The Utah oval is often compared to Calgary's Olympic Oval, which holds 13 world records, three more than Utah's Oval. Holding the honor of Fastest Ice on Earth has created an unofficial rivalry between the two venues, because Utah's oval holds 8 Olympic records, and Calgary's holds none; while Calgary's oval holds 13 world records, and Utah's only 10.
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
oval built for the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, is located 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Salt Lake City, in Kearns, Utah
Kearns, Utah
Kearns is a township and census-designated place in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. Named after Utah's U.S. Senator Thomas Kearns, it had a population of 35,731 at the 2010 Census.This was a 6.2 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 33,659...
. The Oval hosted the long track speed skating
Speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics, was held over fourteen days, from 9 February to 23 February. Ten events were contested at the Utah Olympic Oval.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-Records:...
events for the 2002 games. Inside the facility the 400-meter skating track surrounds two international sized ice sheets, and is itself surrounded by a 442-meter running track. Thanks to its high altitude, 4675 feet (1,425 m), and the associated low air resistance, 10 Olympic and 9 world records were set at the oval during the 2002 games, the largest number of world records ever set at one event. Following the 2002 Olympics the oval temporarily held the title of "Fastest Ice on Earth".
History
Along with Soldier HollowSoldier Hollow
Soldier Hollow is a cross-country ski resort located southeast of Salt Lake City in Wasatch Mountain State Park, Utah, United States. The resort was created for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and during the games it hosted the biathlon, cross-country skiing and the cross country skiing portion of the...
and the Utah Olympic Park
Utah Olympic Park
The Utah Olympic Park is a winter sports park built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and is located east of Salt Lake City near Park City, Utah, United States. During the 2002 games the park hosted the bobsleigh, skeleton, luge, ski jumping, and nordic combined events. It still serves a training...
, the Utah Olympic Oval was built specifically for the 2002 Winter Olympics. On October 5, 1992 the Utah Sports Authority chose the Oquirrh Park Fitness Center in Kearns as the site for the 2002 Olympic Oval, beating out other locations in West Valley City
West Valley City, Utah
West Valley City is a city in Salt Lake County and a suburb of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The population was 129,480 at the 2010 census,...
, Sandy
Sandy, Utah
Sandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
and downtown Salt Lake City
Downtown Salt Lake City
Downtown is the oldest district in Salt Lake City. The grid from which the entire city is laid out originates at Temple Square, the location of the Salt Lake Temple.-Location:...
. Funds from the 1989 Olympic referendum would be used to construct the oval, and would be repaid with profits from the games. The plans called for using $3.7 million of tax payer money to construct the oval, which would be an outdoor facility. If Salt Lake City won its 1995 bid for the 2002 games, Olympic funds would be used to cover the oval, and build a ice sheet in the center of the track. By the time the groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 1994, the price tag had increased to $4.1 million, with an expected completion date sometime that December. Because of cold temperatures and a wet spring, cement for the oval could not be poured, and the oval didn't open until September 1, 1995, almost a year behind schedule. The oval was formally dedicated in a ceremony, attended by Olympian Cathy Turner
Cathy Turner
Cathy Ann Turner is an American short track speed skater, who won gold medals at the 1992 Winter Olympics and 1994 Winter Olympics....
, on January 12, 1996. Prior to it being covered and used during the Olympic games, the oval would be used for inline skating during the summer and ice skating during the winter months.
After Salt Lake City won the 2002 Olympic bid on June 16, 1995, Salt Lake Organizing Committee
Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002 was the organization responsible for the 2002 Winter Olympics and 2002 Winter Paralympics in Salt Lake City, USA....
(SLOC) began the design process for a permanent cover for the oval. During the cover's design process it was decided to pull up and replace the entire original oval. The new oval was designed by Gilles Stransky Brems Smith of Salt Lake City, and constructed by Layton Construction. Work on the new oval began in June 1999 at an estimated cost of $27 million. To keep those costs down, and give a unobstructed view of the ice, the roof would be constructed similar to a suspension bridge
Suspension bridge
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. Outside Tibet and Bhutan, where the first examples of this type of bridge were built in the 15th century, this type of bridge dates from the early 19th century...
. Between twenty-four masts, twelve on each side of the building, steel cables nearly 400 feet (121.9 m) long and 3.5 inches (88.9 mm) in diameter were strung, suspending the roof above the oval.
On April 19, 2000 as construction was progressing on the oval, some of the bolts holding the roof's cables sheared, causing part of the roof to collapse. Following an investigation into the cause of the accident and repairs, construction resumed in July 2000. Construction on the oval was further delayed when three weeks after the concrete floor was poured, the freeze tubes in numerous spots were found to have moved off their rebar supports and had floated out of alignment. It was determined that entire floor was going to have to be torn up and replaced, or else the ice might not freeze evenly. After a new floor was poured, and had cured, the final coat of ice was added to the track on February 12, 2001; just in time for four Olympic speed skaters to test out the new venue later that afternoon. The first event held in the new oval was the World Single Distance Championships
World Single Distance Championships
The World Single Distance Championships are a series of speed skating competitions organised by the International Skating Union.-History:Since the late 19th century, speed skating championships were always decided by racing multiple distances – four different distances for the allround...
, on March 9–11, 2001. On March 9, 2001, the first day of competitions, a press briefing to introduce the facility was held. Members of SLOC with the design and construction teams were present to introduce the oval to the public.
The completed building has 275000 square feet (25,548.3 m²), roughly the size of four football fields, it is 310 feet (94 m) wide by 655 feet (200 m) long, with a ceiling 55 feet (17 m) high; the low ceiling allowed the temperature inside to be easily maintained at the appropriate conditions. The completed facility contained the 400-meter oval skating track, which surrounded two international size hockey ice sheets. Under the ice sheets and track are 33 miles (53 km) of freeze tubes which keep the concrete base at 18 °F (-7.8 °C) year-round. In the end the oval ended up costing $30 million, and on his blog, ex-SLOC CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
and politician, Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
brags that the Utah Olympic Oval was 10 percent the cost of the Richmond Olympic Oval
Richmond Olympic Oval
The Richmond Olympic Oval , or the Richmond Oval is a facility in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. It was the venue of the speed skating events and the official Olympic anti-doping lab of the 2010 Winter Olympics...
used during the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
.
2002 Winter Olympics
During the 2002 games the oval hosted the speed skatingSpeed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics, was held over fourteen days, from 9 February to 23 February. Ten events were contested at the Utah Olympic Oval.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-Records:...
events. For the competitions temporary seating was installed and the oval had a capacity for about 5,200 spectators, plus press members. 100 percent of available tickets for the venue's events were sold, allowing 53,056 spectators to witness events in the oval.
The Oval today
Following the 2002 Olympics, SLOC turned ownership of the oval over to the Utah Athletic Foundation, who also owns and manages the Utah Olympic Park near Park City, UtahPark City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
. As part of the multi-purpose recreation complex, known as Oquirrh Park Fitness Center, the oval currently houses the original 400-meter oval skating track, two international size ice sheets, an indoor soccer/arena football/lacrosse field, a 442-meter running track, an eight-lane 110-meter sprint track, weight room, locker facilities and team rooms, meeting rooms, a concession, gifts and gear shop, plus skate rentals. Staking lessons are also offered by the foundation. The U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team is currently headquartered in the oval, and has been since January 2001.
Records set at the Utah Olympic Oval
The oval is one of the world's fastest indoor skating tracks, mainly because of its elevation. It is the world's highest indoor oval at 4675 feet (1,425 m) above sea level, 1000 feet (304.8 m) higher than Calgary's Olympic OvalOlympic Oval
The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus...
, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
(which is the second highest). Because of the elevation, there is less air resistance for the skaters and less oxygen frozen into the ice, making it harder, denser and faster.
During the 2002 Olympic games all ten speed skating events held in the oval set Olympic records. The oval still maintains eight, thanks in part to the relatively low elevation of both the 2006
Oval Lingotto
Torino Oval Lingotto is an indoor arena in Turin, Italy. It was built for use at the 2006 Winter Olympics, during which it hosted speed skating events...
and 2010
Richmond Olympic Oval
The Richmond Olympic Oval , or the Richmond Oval is a facility in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. It was the venue of the speed skating events and the official Olympic anti-doping lab of the 2010 Winter Olympics...
Olympic Ovals. Before and after the Olympics, the oval has hosted many local and international speed skating competitions and as of December 2010, ten current world records have been set inside the oval. The Utah oval is often compared to Calgary's Olympic Oval, which holds 13 world records, three more than Utah's Oval. Holding the honor of Fastest Ice on Earth has created an unofficial rivalry between the two venues, because Utah's oval holds 8 Olympic records, and Calgary's holds none; while Calgary's oval holds 13 world records, and Utah's only 10.
Current records
| Men | |||||
| Event | Time | Name | Nation | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 meters | 34.42 | Casey FitzRandolph Casey FitzRandolph Casey J. FitzRandolph is an American speedskater.In 1997, FitzRandolph won the bronze medal at the World Sprint Championships in Hamar. He won another bronze medal in 2001 at the World Single Distance Championships on the 500 m.His best year so far was 2002... |
February 11, 2002 | ||
| 1,000 meters | 1:07.18 | Gerard van Velde Gerard van Velde Gerard Pieter Hendrik van Velde is a retired Dutch speedskater, and was specialised in sprinting.... |
February 16, 2002 | ||
| 1,500 meters | 1:43.95 | Derek Parra Derek Parra Derek Parra is a Mexican-American speed skater from San Bernardino, California, who graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1988. Parra won two medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics, held in Salt Lake City, Utah.... |
February 19, 2002 | ||
| Women | |||||
| 500 meters | 37.30 | Catriona Le May Doan | February 13, 2002 | ||
| 1,000 meters | 1:13.83 | Chris Witty Chris Witty Christine Diane Witty is an American speed skater and racing cyclist and participated in the Olympic Games in both sports. However, she is more successful in skating.... |
February 17, 2002 | ||
| 1,500 meters | 1:54.02 | Anni Friesinger Anni Friesinger Anna Christine Friesinger-Postma is a German speed skater. Her father Georg Friesinger, of Germany, and mother Janina Korowicka, of Poland, were both skaters; Jana was on the Polish team at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Anni's brother Jan is a speed skater, too... |
February 20, 2002 | ||
| 3,000 meters | 3:57.70 | Claudia Pechstein Claudia Pechstein Claudia Pechstein is a German speed skater. With a total of five Olympic gold medals, two silver, and two bronze medals, she is the most successful German Winter Olympian of all time... |
February 10, 2002 | ||
| 5,000 meters | 6:46.91 | Claudia Pechstein Claudia Pechstein Claudia Pechstein is a German speed skater. With a total of five Olympic gold medals, two silver, and two bronze medals, she is the most successful German Winter Olympian of all time... |
February 23, 2002 | ||
| Men | |||||
| Event | Time | Name | Nation | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 meters | 34.03 | Jeremy Wotherspoon Jeremy Wotherspoon Jeremy Lee Wotherspoon is a Canadian speed skater, widely recognized as one of the greatest speedskating sprinters of all time.... |
December 9, 2007 | ||
| 1,000 meters | 1:06.42 | Shani Davis Shani Davis Shani Davis is an Olympic Champion speed skater from the United States.At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Davis became the first Black athlete to win a gold medal in an individual sport at the Olympic Winter Games . He also won the silver in the 1,500 m... |
March 7, 2009 | ||
| 1,500 meters | 1:41.04 | Shani Davis Shani Davis Shani Davis is an Olympic Champion speed skater from the United States.At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Davis became the first Black athlete to win a gold medal in an individual sport at the Olympic Winter Games . He also won the silver in the 1,500 m... |
December 11, 2009 | ||
| 10,000 meters | 12:41.69 | Sven Kramer Sven Kramer Sven Kramer is a Dutch long track speed skater. He is the Olympic champion of the 5000 meter in Vancouver 2010, and four-time European and World Allround Champion. He is also three-time world champion and world record holder in the 5,000 m, 10,000 m, and the team pursuit... |
March 10, 2007 | ||
| Team pursuit (8 laps) |
3:37.809 | Sven Kramer Sven Kramer Sven Kramer is a Dutch long track speed skater. He is the Olympic champion of the 5000 meter in Vancouver 2010, and four-time European and World Allround Champion. He is also three-time world champion and world record holder in the 5,000 m, 10,000 m, and the team pursuit... Carl Verheijen Carl Verheijen Carl Eduard Verheijen was a Dutch speedskater specializing in the longer distances 5,000-m and the 10,000-m. Verheijen is the son of skater Eddy Verheijen and has a relation with retired skater Andrea Nuyt in Leusden. They have a daughter... Erben Wennemars Erben Wennemars Egbert Rolf Wennemars is a Dutch former speed skater. He specialized in the sprint and middle distances of 500, 1000 and 1500 meters.-Speed skating career:... |
March 11, 2007 | ||
| Women | |||||
| 500 meters | 37.00 | Jenny Wolf Jenny Wolf Jenny Wolf is a German ice speed skater who is the current world record holder, at 37.00 seconds, for the women's 500 m and, 74.42 seconds for women's 500 m x 2 in long track speed skating... |
December 11, 2009 | ||
| 2×500 meters | 74.42 | Jenny Wolf Jenny Wolf Jenny Wolf is a German ice speed skater who is the current world record holder, at 37.00 seconds, for the women's 500 m and, 74.42 seconds for women's 500 m x 2 in long track speed skating... |
March 10, 2007 | ||
| 1,500 meters | 1:51.79 | Cindy Klassen Cindy Klassen Cindy Klassen, OM is a Canadian long track speed skater. Klassen is a six-time medalist at the Winter Olympics. She is tied with Clara Hughes for Canada's all-time most decorated Olympian with 6 medals each... |
February 20, 2002 | ||
| 5,000 meters | 6:42.66 | Martina Sáblíková Martina Sáblíková Martina Sáblíková is a Czech speedskater, specializing in long distance races. She is an Olympic gold medal winner and a multiple World champion. She is the elder sister of fellow speedskater Milan Sáblík.-Career:As a junior, Sáblíková already achieved some notable results during international... |
February 19, 2011 | ||
| Sprint Combined | 149.305 points | Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt | January 11–12, 2001 | ||
External links
- Utah Olympic Oval - Official website
- Utah.com - Utah Olympic Oval Profile