Ratings Records
The figure skating controversy, the success of American athletes, and accommodating weather has spurred NBC's coverage of the Olympics to a 19.8 prime-time average through the first five days of coverage according to Nielsen's Media Research.  That's 19% above the first five-day average for the 1998 Nagano Games.  Viewership in Salt Lake City, New York, Portland, and Seattle has been particularly strong.  Total primetime ratings for the 17-day coverage will likely equal about seven Super Bowls.  Live coverage has also been a hallmark of NBC's coverage of this Olympics, although many marquee events are still shown in primetime on tape delay.  According to Sports Business Daily in conjunction with Sponsorship Research International, nearly 50% of NBC's total event coverage has been live through the first week.  Website activity has also surpassed all expectations.  MSNBC's website producers reported that Friday's opening attracted more than one million users to the Olympics.com and NBColympics.com websites (420% more than Sydney in 2000).  Although traffic dropped for the first weekend, it remained 40% higher than Sydney's best day.  The most popular attraction on the website has been TV listings.

Mid-Course Adjustments
In response to spectator demand (and the consumption of more than 400,000 hot dogs), the Salt Lake Organizing Committee has removed restrictions on bringing food and beverage to events and venues.  Spectators are now allowed to bring food and drink to competitions, as long as they are in clear, plastic containers.

Security and Traffic Better than Expected
Security and traffic, both major concerns to Olympic planners, have been relatively benign.  Security has been tight, but without major incidents.  Indeed, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department, crime rates and police activity area are down from a year ago despite expectations of increased robbery, auto theft, and prostitution.  While crowds have materialized downtown, the need for parking has not.  Most visitors are relying on the light rail and shuttle systems, leaving parking lots empty and parking lot attendants with empty pockets.

Empty Slopes
Ski resorts prepared for between 20% and 30% fewer visitors during the Olympics, as the large majority of visitors would be focused on competitions.  However, at many resorts, the decline in business has been greater than expected.  Most resorts reported declines of between 25% and 50% compared to the same week last season.  In addition to the absence of out-of-state visitors, locals have also avoided the resorts.  Many attribute the lack of local business to the Olympic excitement that has captivated many residents of the Wasatch Front.  Potential skiers are likely preoccupied with the Games and are going to events, volunteering and spending time downtown instead of skiing.  Notable exceptions have been noted at Snowbasin, Sundance, and the Canyons, where business remains closer to normal.    

No Room at the Inn
Demand for lodging in Salt Lake City has remained strong throughout the first week.  According to contacts at several lodging properties and the Visitor Information Services, most properties are 100% booked, although a few properties may have mid-week openings for short periods of time.  For extended stays, most visitors are encouraged to look about an hour and a half outside Salt Lake.  One exception was noted by a Park City contact, who indicated that roughly 20% of the condos remain available for Olympic visitors.

Where's the Beef
Restaurants throughout the Salt Lake area geared up for Olympic-sized crowds.  However, in many cases, those crowds have not materialized.  Although some establishments have attracted record numbers of patrons, many have sat empty as Olympic revelers remain close to venues and local residents stay away fearing crowds and transportation and parking woes.  For example, restaurants around the E-Center and along the city's periphery report a 40% to 60% decline in customers.  For Park City and Heber eateries, the story is a little different.  Because most of the spectators are using the bus system set up by SLOC, they are unable to remain in the area following events.  Thus local restaurants in these communities are able to provide for locally housed visitors, but few others.

Downtown Revival
The expected crowds have come to downtown Salt Lake to participate in Olympic-related festivities.  Crowds have been strong at Olympic Square and the Medals Plaza as well as along Main Street and at the new Gateway Center.  However, crowds have remained in the core Olympic region and have not strayed much beyond the central downtown blocks.  Festivities at Washington Square remain lightly attended.  The Cultural Olympiad events are popular with locals and residents alike.  A recent Dan Jones & Associated poll conducted for KSL and the Deseret News indicated 61% of residents and 50% of non-resident visitors have attended or will attend a cultural event during their Olympic visit.   

Positive Reviews
A stunning percentage of Utahns and out-of-state visitors react positively to Salt Lake's performance as Olympic host thus far.  In a Dan Jones & Associates poll among Olympic visitors conducted for KSL and the Deseret News, over 90% rated their Olympic experience as good or excellent and over 95% positively rated Salt Lake City as an Olympic host.  For many, the Olympics have even surpassed their expectations (69% of residents and 55% of non-residents rated their experience as better than expected).  For 34% of non-resident visitors, the Olympics has positively affected their opinions about Utah.  About 90% expressed confidence in security efforts of organizers and more than 80% indicated transportation had been better than expected.  Although well publicized prior to the opening of the Games, protesters have thus far not affected visitor experiences.  Nearly 80% of residents and almost 90% of non-residents reported no disruption of their festivities as a result of protesters.  A large majority of visitors (87%) also disagree with the characterization of the Salt Lake Games as the Mormon Games.

These results reflect the growth in support that many host communities experience once the Games begin.  Over the past seven years, local support for the Games has varied.  Polls measured a high level of support in October 1993 previous to the bribery scandal (73%).  Support reached a low point of 53% in September 1997 when then-SLOC president Tom Welch resigned.  By December 1998, support remained low in the wake of the scandal (55%).  By 2001, the Games had regained favor, with support hovering in the mid to high 60's through November 2001.  As the Games approached, support continued to grow each week.  By the day of Opening Ceremonies, local support was at 75%.  Following the first week of competition, support for the Games has risen remarkably to 91%.The first week of December, the Olympic flame returned to America and began a cross-country journey to Salt Lake City, Utah.  With unforgettable outdoor adventure in unrivalled landscapes, Utah is the official playground before, during and after the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.  Visitors can ski and snowboard on alpine slopes blanketed by the Greatest Snow on Earth?.  They can find urban excitement in Olympic venue cities, hike and mountain bike in red rock canyons chiseled by wild rivers, relax and rejuvenate in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds Utah spas.  Utah?s landscapes lift the human spirit and provide memorable getaways in every season.

Olympic Notes - Week Two Highlights
Olympic Notes - Final Highlights