The resort’s Grand Pool was the only aquatic leg on the torch’s journey to Salt Lake City
Glenwood Springs, Colorado (Sept. 9, 2024) – Since opening on July 4, 1888, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has been part of many important moments in the history of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. To honor this rich heritage, the resort has tapped the knowledge and collections of Glenwood Springs Historical Society for displays in the resort’s Athletic Club lobby and artwork found throughout the new poolside Hotel 1888, which is located within the historic Stone Bath House.
The current Athletic Club lobby display focuses on the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games torch relay that arrived in Glenwood Springs on Feb. 2, 2002, after a trek through 45 states. The torch featured in the display is owned and was carried by Bonnie Whitman of Glenwood Springs, who was a national figure skating champion at age 13. Not only was it an important day for Whitman and the various locals who were selected to carry the torch through Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort played an important role.
Instead of wearing the official white sweatsuit, George DiCarlo, wore an all-black Speedo and swam the lone aquatic leg of the entire 2002 torch relay in the world’s largest hot springs pool. DiCarlo, who grew up in Denver and won a gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle and a silver in the 1,500-meter freestyle race at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, held the torch on his stomach and used a one-handed backstroke to make his way across the 405-foot-long pool in front of 1,500 spectators. “I ran the torch through Denver in 1996, but this is so much more exciting. This ranks on par with participating in the opening ceremonies in L.A.,” DiCarlo shared with the Deseret News.
Later, Olympian Rulon Gardner, who won a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in a huge wrestling match upset, carried the flame to the Glenwood Springs Community Center before it left enroute to Grand Junction and arrived in Salt Lake City on Feb. 3.
The public is welcome to stop by and see the Olympic torch display that is up until Sept. 30. Next, the
display will focus on the historical society’s 25th annual Historic Ghost Walk happening on Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 3-18. Meander up the hill by lantern light to Linwood Cemetery, where costumed actors portray pioneers from Glenwood Springs’ past.
Visit www.hotspringspool.com and www.glenwoodhistory.org for information about both organizations.
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Photo: Bonnie Whitman carrying the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games torch courtesy of Bonnie Whitman
Media Contacts:
Aly Ackley, Resort Sales Manager
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, 970.945.3324, [email protected]
Beth Buehler
Buehler Communications Inc., 970.901.6970, [email protected]
