1990s - 2000s winter olympics
Nagano 1998
The Winter Olympics returns to Japan 26 years after Sapporo: the presence of 72 nations, some represented by just one athlete, set a record. Snowboarding debutes as an official sport, while curling returns to the competition program for both men and women. For the first time, the men’s ice hockey tournament is open to professional players and isjoined by a women’s tournament. Deborah Compagnoni from Valtellina won the silver medal in the slalom and triumphed in the giant slalom, becoming the first skier to win three gold medals in three consecutive editions.
Nation: Japan
Athletes: 2,176 (787 women, 1,389 men)
Nations: 72
Medal Table: Germany, Norway, Russia
Nagano 1998 Paralympics
This edition of the Winter Paralympics was a remarkable success in the media and with a large audience, with over 150,000 spectators. 562 athletes (440 men, 122 women) from 31 countries participated. Speed skating made its final appearance. Norway triumphed in the medal table, ahead of Germany and the United States of America.
Salt Lake City 2002
The Winter Olympic Games take place in an atmoshpere still affected by the September 11 attacks that had shocked the host country just six months earlier . The competitions were held amidst stringent security measures: athletes from 18 different nations won gold, with first-time victories for China and Australia.
Nation: United States of America
Athletes: 2,399 (886 women, 1,513 men)
Nations: 77
Medal table: Norway, Germany, United States of America
Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympics
It is the first edition of the Paralympic Winter Games to be hosted by the United States of America. 415 athletes (328 men, 87 women) participate, representing 36 nations. Germany wins the medals table ahead of the hosts and Norway.
