Atop a pedestal with cascading water stands a towering structure of glass and steel: the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron. It embodies Salt Lake City’s spirit. It reminds us of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron Plaza welcomes you. Here, the cauldron stands as a legacy piece. It symbolizes the Games’ visual identity: fire and ice. This reflects Utah’s stunning landscape.
The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron wasn’t always here. Originally, it stood above the stadium’s southern stands. This allowed most of Salt Lake Valley to view it. After the Games, it moved to the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park. The park had a visitor center. It also included the Hoberman Arch.
But progress marches on. Rice-Eccles Stadium needed expansion. The park was removed in 2020. The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron, however, was carefully taken down. It underwent a vital refurbishment. This included replacing all 738 panes of glass. Workers wired it with LED lights. The flame mechanisms were updated for energy efficiency.
The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron was reinstalled in January 2021. It found its new home. It was unveiled at this plaza in October 2021. Athletes Catherine Raney-Norman and Chris Waddell attended.
The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron is 72 feet tall. The actual glass cauldron is 12 feet high. The flame within burns brightly. It reaches a staggering 900 degrees Fahrenheit. Small jets send water down the glass sides. This creates a melting ice effect. It also keeps the glass cool.
During the Games, disaster nearly struck. Wind blew out the pilot lights just before the opening ceremony. A failsafe plan was activated. The flame was manually pulled up with a string. This ignited the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron.
Eight monuments now encircle the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron’s base. They tell the story of the 2002 Winter Games. They highlight the Games’ lasting impact on Utah. The plaza also features a flag wall. It displays the flags of each competing country.
The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron has been relit on special occasions. These include the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the Games. It also was lit when Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Games.
The 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron Park cost $12 million. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee gave the University of Utah a $1 million endowment. This helped with operating costs.
The Hoberman Arch once stood here too. It was used at the Olympic Medals Plaza. It acted as a mechanical curtain. Later, it was installed in the cauldron park. It was removed in 2014.
Take a moment. Remember the “Light the Fire Within” motto. Let the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron remind you of Utah’s collaborative spirit. This iconic symbol enriches the lives of all. The memories of the Games still burn brightly.