Rodeo at Salt Lake City Olympics 2002 Winter Games Cultural Olympiad Rodeo
FACT SHEET
* Who: Seventy of the best rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from Canada and the United States; five contestants in each of the seven rodeo events from each country.
* What: The 2002 Winter Games Cultural Olympiad Rodeo as part of the Olympic Cultural Arts Festival
* When: Feb. 9-11, 2002
* Where: Legacy Center in Farmington, Utah, 12 miles north of Salt Lake City
* About the Competition: United States vs. Canada in the seven rodeo events:
* Bareback Riding
* Steer Wrestling
* Team Roping
* Saddle Bronc Riding
* Calf Roping
* Barrel Racing
* Bull Riding
* $160,000 in prize money
* Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in each event and for overall team winner
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2002 Olympics
Rope was selected to be part of the U.S. steer wrestling team after he won his first world title at the 2001 Wrangler NFR and set a new Wrangler NFR average record with a total time of 37.4 seconds on 10 head.
The last time Rodeo was part of the Olympics was in 1988 during the Winter Olympics in Calgary. The U.S. team won five of six gold medals to defeat Canada 4,950 points to 3,140 to win the team gold medal.
The United States competed against Canada in seven rodeo events; bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
35 of the best U.S. contestants challenged 35 of the best Canadians on a worldwide stage during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Cultural Arts Festival held Feb. 9-11, 2002 in Farmington, Utah.
Pro Rodeo News Releases
News Releases - Saturday, Feb. 9thWorld steer wrestling champion Rope Myers of Athens, Texas, also claimed victory, downing his steer in 3.6 seconds. Finishing second was Lee Graves, team captain of the Canadian team, in 4.1 seconds.
Steer wrestling:
First Round:
1. Rope Myers, (Van, Texas), 3.6 seconds, 50 Olympiad points;
2. Lee Graves, (Calgary, Alberta), 4.1, 30 Olympiad points;
3. Todd Maughan, (Nanton, Alberta), 4.2, 20 Olympiad points.
News Releases - Sunday, Feb. 10thGraves of Calgary, Alberta, Canadian team captain, turfed his steer in 3.6 seconds and collected 50 Olympiad points. 2001 World Champion Steer Wrestler Rope Myers of Van, Texas, took second with a 4.0-second run to earn 30 Olympiad points. Graves and Myers have each collected a total of 80 points.
Steer wrestling:
Second Round:
1. Lee Graves, (Calgary, Alberta), 3.6 seconds, 50 Olympiad points
2. Rope Myers, (Van, Texas), 4.0, 30 Olympiad points;
3. Curtis Cassidy, (Donalda, Alberta), 4.1, 20 Olympiad points
News Releases - Monday, Feb. 11thRay Grant, director of the Cultural Olympiad, presented the medals to the winning cowboys and cowgirls.
Rope Myers of Van Texas, who also won a world title at the Wrangler NFR, collected gold here Monday when he finished second in the final round to finish the three-day event with 110 points. Lee Graves of Calgary, Alberta, took the silver with 80 points, while Oklahoma cowboy Jeff Babek was third with 50 points.
Steer wrestling:
Third Round:
1. Jeff Babek, (Van, Texas), 3.6 seconds, 50 Olympiad points
2. Rope Myers, (Van, Texas), 3.9 seconds, 30 Olympiad points
3. Jason Lahr, (Emporia, Kan.), 4.5, 20 Olympiad points.
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