Olympic athletes from the state of Utah, particularly Park City and Deer Valley, were well-represented in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia (from February 7-23). Many of them won Olympic medals, while others made great sacrifices to qualify for the Olympic Games in Sochi.
The following a list of some Utah’s famous residents representing Team USA
At the forefront, Snowboard Slopestyle champion Sage Kotsenburg of Park City won the first gold medal in the Slopestyle competition in Sochi. After accomplishing his signature trick, the “Holy Crail,” Kotsenburg scored a 93.5, winning him the gold medal. (See Below)
With his recent victory in the Men’s Slopestyle Skiing event, Park City native Joss Christensen became the seventh Olympic gold medalist who was born in Utah.
Ted Ligety also joins Josh Christensen in making history by becoming the first United States winter athlete to earn two gold medals in Alpine Skiing. Ligety carved his way to victory with a strong first run and a decisive win. He told the Associated Press that he was very thrilled to take home the gold.
Noelle Pikus-Pace of Orem, Utah won the silver medal in the Women’s Skeleton Event. She attended Utah Valley University.
Torah Bright, who competes for Australia, but lives in Salt Lake City, won the bronze medal in the Women’s Halfpipe competition.
Kaitlyn Farrington of Salt Lake City won the Gold medal for the Women’s Halfpipe completion.
As you might expect, Park City has produced several gold, silver, and medalists in the years past. Park City native Steven Holcomb was a 2010 gold medalist in the four-man bobsled. Holcomb attended the University of Utah.
In the Summer Games of the past, the list of winners includes Alma Richards (1912), and Lee Stratford Barnes (1924) in track and field, Dorothy Poynton-Hill in diving (1932, 1936) and Cael Sanderson in wrestling (2004). In the years to come, Park City will undoubtedly continue to produce world-class athletes for the winter and summer games of the future.
About Jim Bizily
I am an outdoor enthusiast, parent of two awesome boys, and Property Manager in beautiful Park City, Utah. After years in engineering and entrepreneurial projects, I decided to move to Park City Utah to start a business managing lodging and vacation rentals.
