The 2002 Winter Olympics
Money and Politics

NPR News looks at the costs of putting on the Olympics as well as the politics and bureaucracy behind the games.

Canadian pairs figure skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier are all smiles after the decision upgrading them a gold medal.
Photo copyright 2002 Reuters Limited

Olympians and Commercial Endorsements
All Things Considered senior host Robert Siegel talks with Wall Street Journal sports writer Stefan Fatsis about the prospects of Olympic stars turning their gold medals into endorsement gold. Stefan says success in the Olympics does not always translate into success in the commercial marketplace.

Putin: Russia Won't Pull Out of Olympics
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia will not boycott the remainder of the Winter Olympics, despite complaints over how events are being judged. All Things Considered guest host Jacki Lyden talks with NPR’s Howard Berkes.

Russians Protest Hughes' Surprise Skating Gold
Russian officials formally protest the upset win by American Sarah Hughes in women's figure skating at the Winter Olympics, saying biased judging denied Irina Slutskaya a gold medal. Elizabeth Arnold reports for NPR News.

Olympic Ideals Intact
Commentator Diana Nyad doesn't think that recent Olympic scandals or athletes' post-Games salaries have dampened audiences' enthusiasm for the Games. On Morning Edition, Nyad says the Olympic spirit is alive and well with fans.

Attention Turns from 'Skategate' to Skiing
As the controversy over the figure skating gold medal appears to have been resolved, other sports -- like skiing -- are now back in the limelight. Elizabeth Arnold talks with Weekend All Things Considered host Lisa Simeone.

Olympic Skalpers Find Business Risky
Even though Olympics tickets are officially sold out, it's not hard finding a scalper with some seats to sell. NPR's Robert Smith reports on Weekend All Things Considered.

Canadian Skaters to Get Gold Medal After All
Canadian figure skating pair Jamie Sale and David Pelletier will share the gold medal with their Russian rivals, Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, the International Olympic Committee decided. A French judge involved in the initial decision to award the Canadians a silver medal has been suspended for misconduct. NPR's Tom Goldman reports for All Things Considered.

Scandals Not New to Olympics
The flap over the figure skating pairs medals pales when compared to past Olympic controversies. All Things Considered host Robert Siegel talks with Olympic historian David Wallechinsky about some of the greatest Olympic scandals.

Ice Skating Scandal Heats Up
The chief referee in the pairs skating competition alleges that at least one judge may have been pressured in the controversial decision in this week's pairs skating contest, the head of the International Skating Union says. The Russian pair of Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze received the gold medal over Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier. NPR's Tom Goldman reports for All Things Considered.

Olympic Land Deals Draw Fire
In order to secure the Olympics for Salt Lake City, members of the Utah congressional delegation pushed through legislation that includes special deals and land swapping that will benefit a billionaire developer, NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports.

Case Closed on Corruption in Salt Lake Bid
Less than three months before the launch of the Salt Lake City games, a federal judge dismissed all remaining charges in the Olympic corruption case. NPR's Howard Berkes reports the judge tossed out 10 fraud counts and a conspiracy charge that had been filed against two Salt Lake City bid leaders.