Light blue, hooded nylon ski jacket with dark blue trim. The jacket has a removable fleece lining and zipper pockets at the side seams. A red drawstring closes the hood and the jacket closes with a zipper and velcro in the front. There is an American flag patch on the right sleeve and the Olympic rings are stitched on the back. Made by the Roots Clothing Company who outfitted the U.S. athletes for the Games, this jacket was to be worn at the opening ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Roots became involved in the Olympic games in 1976 and began outfitting the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams in 1998. Roots outfitted the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams in 2002, 2004, and 2006 but sought out an American Company to outfit the team in 2008 for the Beijing games. Although Polo was chosen it was found that the clothes were actually made in China which created a public uproar and Ralph Lauren was chosen for the next Olympic games.
The 2002 Winter Olympics, also known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad were held in Salt Lake City, Utah with 78 countries, 1,513 men and 886 women athletes participating. Security was high as these were the first Games since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A flag from Ground Zero was flown at the opening ceremonies. These games were the most successful Winter Games to date with the 2002 Paralympic Games held in the Salt Lake City venue right after. The American women won the gold in women’s bobsled while American Sara Hughes won gold in figure skating with Michelle Kwan taking the bronze. The United States won the medal count with 34 but Norway won the gold medal count with 13.