Going for gold: Comcast presents community Olympic kick-off with former gold medalists
Gold medalists Derek Parra and Chad Hedrick pose with their medals.
Olympic gold medalist Derek Parra poses for a photo with his medals
Olympic gold medalist Chad Hedrick poses for a photo with his medals.
In 2002, all eyes were on Utah as athletes from around the globe gathered to participate in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Though 12 years have passed since that Olympic spotlight, Utah is still well-known for its contributions to the Salt Lake Olympics as well as for the many Olympians it continues to raise to represent the United States.
Though this year’s Winter Olympics are set to take place in Sochi, Russia, Comcast is planning a way to bring a bit of that Olympic goodness back home to Utah Valley with a free community party set to bring together local families in celebration of the opening ceremonies.
“I think the idea began really with the whole notion of the Olympic winter games in Sochi coming up,” said Ray Child, senior director of public relations for Comcast. “NBC Universal is a part of Comcast … (and) has for many years broadcasted the Olympic winter and summer games. We thought, what a great opportunity to see what we can do to create a really fun Olympic Opening Ceremony viewing party to invite anyone who’d like to come to attend.”
According to Child, Comcast, through their Xfinity television service, is planning to present extensive coverage of the Olympic winter games with roughly 1,500 hours of upcoming programming set to be available to users on demand from nearly any device.
“We’ve got you covered on every screen,” he said. “That’s why we get so excited about the Olympics. What we like to say is you can see every minute of the games — every medal awarded at every event. You’re not going to miss a thing. It’s all going to be available to you.”
To make the Olympic Opening Ceremonies even more exciting and accessible, Comcast is bringing two former Olympians to their public event, including Derek Parra and Chad Hedrick, both Olympic speed skating gold medalists.
“Derek Parra and Chad Hedrick are coming to join us and sign autographs,” Child said. “(People) can get their picture taken with them … How cool is it to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies with Olympic gold medalists — how often will that happen? I hope everyone will come meet Chad, meet Derek, have some free goodies, and get autographs from these Olympic Gold Medalists.”
Though clearly a highlight of the evening will be celebrating with former Olympians, Child said the evening is set to include a variety of other fun and family-friendly activities, including viewing the Ceremonies on large screens, participating in winter-style games, opportunities to pose in “Olympic” photos with sports gear, free treats and goodies, Olympic-themed crafts and projects and a variety of giveaways. Guests can also hear Olympic stories first-hand from the event’s featured guests.
“As an Olympian, you train for years for kind of one moment,” said Derek Parra, a gold and silver medalist in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake. “The great thing is you can relive that moment by speaking around the world, from classrooms with kids to auditoriums with students and arenas with companies — every time in that setting trying to paint that picture of what it was like — the hills and valleys and how peaceful it was to a breakdown of what it means when you finally get there and are standing at the podium. For me, it draws back on so much emotion that was a part of that journey.”
According to Parra, he wasn’t always a speed skater – at least not on the ice. Parra’s journey really began in a roller skating rink in southern California. What started as a motivation to win a free drink at the rink’s snack bar eventually led him to the pursuit of a new dream — becoming a professional speed skater in the roller skating circuits.
“I made a fool of myself, but it was the first time I really got passionate about something,” Parra said of his first experience at the roller rink. “I spent the next year trying to win that race. I did everything I could.”
Parra’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Soon he became even more involved in speed skating, competing locally and regionally before diving into national competitions and giving up everything to train further in Florida. Parra broke two world records with his skating, but eventually left the sport because of how small it was and the extensive traveling it required. That clearly wasn’t the end of speed skating for him, though, as he soon made the switch to ice.
In 1998, Parra qualified for the Olympics and traveled with the team, but didn’t get his chance to shine until the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake.
“I qualified for the Olympic Trial Training Program, which allowed me to focus on my training for the next four years,” Parra said. “Every year I got better and better until I won gold and silver. … There is no logical reason that I can see why I should have been on top of the podium. I just didn’t have the resources. I realize it’s because so many people just took my hand and kept pushing me forward. The Olympics are just so special in my mind and heart because it is about this country – each athlete comes from a small corner of a town or city, and along the way individuals push and guide them to that opportunity. You have to get up on the ice and compete and execute, but those people around you, family, friends, sponsors, town newspapers, rotary clubs, Chamber of Commerce – they helped you get to the next step and by the time you get there you’ve got a whole country on your back.”
Though his time on the team may be done, Parra is still spreading the Olympic spirit though his work as the director of sports at the Utah Olympic Legacy in Salt Lake.
“I get to work with kids and engage youth in the area in different sports,” Parra said. “To be involved in that — to see the look in their eyes when the fire is lit in them — it’s the best job.”
According to Parra, the Utah Olympic Legacy provides opportunities for all youth to get involved in programs that both engage them and share that Olympic spirit.
“(The Olympics) bring the country together, and the world together,” Parra said. “It inspires everyone and brings a time of peace for the world … it’s something special to watch, like rooting for a neighbor.”
Comcast’s Olympic kick-off event
What: An Olympic Opening Ceremonies party with Olympic gold medalists Derek Parra and Chad Hedrick
When: Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: The Utah Valley Convention Center, 220 West Center St. in Provo
Cost: Free to the community
Info: www.utahcomcast.com
Extra: The event will include autographs with Parra and Hedrick, a variety of prizes, activities for kids, photo opportunities, treats and a chance to watch the Opening Ceremonies with former Olympians, all free of charge.