Page 42

AboveNorway and Finland face off in the opening ice hockey match of Lillehammer 2016LeftThe volunteers were a helpful and smiling presence around the venuesBelow The Olympic cauldron burns brightly during the Closing CeremonyÔWE HAVE CREATED OLYMPIC MEMORIES FOR A NEW GENERATION, WITH THEIR OWN YOUTHFUL FLAVOUR. THESE GAMES ARE GOING TO STAY IN THE HEART OF THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION FOR A LONG TIMEÕTOMAS HOLMESTAD, LILLEHAMMER 2016 CEO And no matter where they came from, or how they made it to Lillehammer, the young athletes were able to enjoy vociferous support in every venue thanks to more than 100,000 fans who turned out to cheer them on during the Games.Lillehammer 2016 CEO Tomas Holmestad Ð and many of the athletes Ð reserved special praise for the thousands of volunteers whose hard work and beaming smiles from under their green hats played a key role in the success of the Games.ÒWe have had 3,000 volunteers working around the clock, many of them are young and having their first big experience as a volunteer,Ó he said. ÒItÕs pretty awesome that so many people have been able to see what the volunteers have achieved here. These were their Games and they deserve all the praise for their hard work. The volunteers created themselves a huge fan club.ÓAfter such a successful YOG, the thoughts of many turned back to the Olympic Winter Games of 1994, when Lillehammer last enjoyed such a fun-filled atmosphere.ÒNow the kids of the 1994 generation know what their parents are talking about! We have created Olympic memories for a new generation, with their own twist and youthful flavour,Ó added Holmestad. ÒI think these Games are going to stay in the hearts of the people of the region for a long, long time.ÓAnd for at least two children of that 1994 generation, the 2016 experience was even greater than their parents enjoyed 22 years ago, with KazakhstanÕs Arina Pantova claiming a bronze medal in the womenÕs 6km sprint and the USAÕs Ryan Savage going one better than his father by winning ice hockey gold.ÒI definitely have one up on my dad now and IÕm sure heÕs a little bit jealous of me! IÕm just so happy to win and finally bring a gold medal into the family,Ó said Savage, after helping the USA beat Canada 5-2 in the final. ÒThere are so many great memories that IÕll take away with me. ItÕs a great feeling getting a gold medal. IÕm going to remember this experience and this feeling for the rest of my life.ÓIn the same way that the 1994 Olympic Winter Games are so fondly recalled in the local area and by all those who experienced them, it is clear that the 2016 Winter YOG will make a lasting impression, with the athletes, fans and all the other participants playing their own special role in creating the memories of tomorrow. ■LILLEHAMMER 2016 REVIEW42 OLYMPIC REVIEW