Since we started our show in 2016, we have been asking our guests at the end of every New Utah interview, “What is the one thing that you would tell someone visiting Utah they had to do before leaving?”
Olympic speed skating medalist and Youth Outreach director at the Utah Olympic Oval, Derek Parra told us in episode 120 that he had several things that people should do when visiting Utah! Most important, go to the Olympic Oval! Derek also said to hike a trail, particularly Silver Lake hike through Alta. He also said to make time to visit one of Utah’s parks and spend some time downtown.
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This weeks guest on the New Utah Podcast is what happens when you find what you love, fight for it, fight through it, have the discipline to fix the small things, then find a way to give all of that back to the community all while eating fig newtons while you do it! Derek Parra, Olympic medalist and sports director at the Olympic Oval, sat down with us for episode 120.
Once upon a time before the gold and silver Olympic medals, Derek was a kid who found a love for roller skating and in-line skates! He honed his talent and became an 18 time world champion and at one time was the fastest in the world! Yes, you read that correctly! Roller skating champion! He traded in his rubber and pavement for steel and took to the ice. Derek took us through his career, from almost quitting to his very inspiring come back story. Derek shared with us his thoughts when he arrived to the Salt Lake Valley, he said that “it feels like home.” After living and training all around the country, Salt Lake Valley is now his home.
Our show happened to fall on 9/11 this year, and it was very serendipitous because Derek was one of 8 athletes to carry in the WTC flag for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Derek has made his home in Utah and continues to give back to the community. Through coaching, public speaking, and being involved in programs and the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation at the Olympic Oval. At the Oval you can take up curling, hockey, they offer specialty training, world cup events, free skate events, and if you need to be on steady ground you can run around the track that circles the ice on the outside.
We don’t want to give away too much in the recap, so take a listen below!
This video is in another language and the only one we could find, but we wanted to remind you how beautiful Derek’s record-breaking performance was in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Eight U.S. athletes and New York police and firefighters carry the tattered American flag from the World Trade Center into the stadium during the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City Friday, Feb. 8, 2002. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
2002 Winter Olympic Games : Salt Lake City, 02/8/2002, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States — Flanked By Members Of The New York Fire Department And New York Port Authority, One 8 Athlete From Each Of The Winter Sports At The 2002 Olympic Winter Games Holds The World Trade Center Flag As It Is Presented During Opening Ceremonies For The Games. (Photo by Tim De Waele/Getty Images)
We promise you might need tissues for this episode. We certainly did.
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