Mongolia at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Mongolia sent a delegation to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States from 8–24 February 2002. This was Mongolia's tenth time participating in a Winter Olympic Games. The delegation consisted of four athletes, two cross-country skiers; Davaagiin Enkhee and Jargalyn Erdenetülkhüür, as well as two short-track speed skating competitors; Battulgyn Oktyabri and Ganbatyn Jargalanchuluun. Erdenetülkhüür placed 63rd in the men's 15 kilometre classical cross-country race; he was the only one of the four to compete in an event final.

Mongolia at the 2002 Winter Olympics
IOC code	MGL
NOC	Mongolian National Olympic Committee
Website	www.olympic.mn (in Mongolian)
in Salt Lake City
Competitors	4 (3 men, 1 woman) in 2 sports
Flag bearer	Jargalyn Erdenetülkhüür
Medals	Gold 0 Silver 0 Bronze 0 Total 0
Winter Olympics appearances (overview)
1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022

Background

The Mongolian National Olympic Committee was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 1 January 1962,^[1] and the nation entered Olympic competition soon after, talking part in both the 1964 Winter and Summer Olympics. Mongolia has only missed two Olympic Games since, the 1976 Winter Olympics; and the 1984 Summer Olympics as the Mongolians joined in the Soviet-led boycott of the Games in Los Angeles.^[2][3] Salt Lake City was Mongolia's tenth appearance at a Winter Olympics.^[2] The 2002 Winter Olympics were held from 8–24 February 2002; a total of 2,399 athletes took part representing 77 National Olympic Committees.^[4] The Mongolian delegation consisted of four athletes, two cross-country skiers; Davaagiin Enkhee and Jargalyn Erdenetülkhüür, as well as two short-track speed skating competitors; Battulgyn Oktyabri and Ganbatyn Jargalanchuluun.^[5] Erdenetülkhüür was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony.^[6]

Cross-country skiing

Main article: Cross-country skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Jargalyn was 23 years old at the time of these Olympics, and he was making his Olympic debut.^[7] On 12 February, he took part in the 15 kilometre classical race, finishing in a time of 45 minutes and 54.7 seconds, which put him in 63rd place out of 66 classified finishers; the gold medal being won by Andrus Veerpalu of Estonia in a time of 37 minutes and 7.4 seconds, the silver medal was earned by Frode Estil of Norway, and the bronze was taken by Jaak Mae, also of Estonia.^[8] Davaagiin Enkhee was 37 years old at the time of the Salt Lake City Olympics, and had previously represented Mongolia at the 1988 Winter Olympics.^[9] The women's 2 × 5 kilometre pursuit, held on 15 February, consisted of two stages. First was 5 kilometres of classical style racing, then there was another 5 kilometre freestyle pursuit section.^[10] Only the top 50 from the classical stage qualified to participate in the freestyle portion.^[11] Enkhee finished the classical portion in 17 minutes and 20.3 seconds, which put her in 68th place, and she was eliminated.^[11] The gold medal was eventually won by Canadian Beckie Scott, the silver by Czech competitor Kateřina Neumannová, and the bronze was earned by Viola Bauer of Germany.^[12]

Men

Event	Athlete	Race
		Time	Rank
15 km classical	Jargalyn Erdenetülkhüür	45:54.7	63

Women's pursuit

Athlete	5 km C		5 km F pursuit
	Time	Rank	Time	Final rank
Davaagiin Enkhee	17:20.3	68	did not advance

C = Classical style, F = Freestyle

Short track speed skating

Main article: Short track speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Ganbatyn Jargalanchuluun was 15 years old at the time of the Salt Lake City Olympics, and was making his Olympic debut.^[13] In the first round of the men's 500 metres competition, he finished with a time of 52.225 seconds, which was fourth in his heat; only the top two in each heat were allowed to advance, and he was eliminated, the slower time that advanced from his heat was 42.849 seconds.^[14] The gold meal was won by Canadian Marc Gagnon, the silver by his fellow Canadian Jonathan Guilmette, and the bronze was won by American Rusty Smith.^[15] Battulgyn Oktyabri was 21 years old at the time, and had previously represented Mongolia at the 1998 Winter Olympics.^[16] In the men's 1000 metres first round, held on 13 February, he finished fourth in his heat with a time of 1 minute and 47.213 seconds, but like the 500 metres race, only the top two from each heat could advance, the slower qualifying time in his heat was 1 minute and 33.167 seconds.^[17] The gold medal was eventually won by Steven Bradbury of Australia, the silver by American Apolo Ohno, and the bronze was earned by Canada's Mathieu Turcotte.^[18]

Athlete	Event	Round one		Quarter finals		Semi finals		Finals
		Time	Rank	Time	Rank	Time	Rank	Time	Final rank
Ganbatyn Jargalanchuluun	500 m	52.225	4	did not advance
Battulgyn Oktyabri	1000 m	1:47.213	4	did not advance

References

1. "Mongolia – National Olympic Committee (NOC)". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
2. "Mongolia". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
3. Schmemann, Serge (15 May 1984). "Olympics Decision Final, Soviet Says". The New York Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
4. "Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games Olympics – results & video highlights". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
5. "Mongolia at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
6. "List of the 77 delegations in the order they will enter the stadium and the name of their flag bearer" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
7. "Jargalyn Erdenetülkhüür". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
8. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's 15 kilometres". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
9. "Davaagiin Enkhee Bio, Stats, and Results". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
10. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Women's 5/5 kilometres Pursuit". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
11. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Women's 5/5 kilometres Pursuit 5 kilometres, Classical". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
12. "Cross Country Skiing at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Women's 5/5 kilometres Pursuit". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
13. "Ganbatyn Jargalanchuluun Bio, Stats, and Results". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
14. "Short Track Speed Skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's 500 metres Round One". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
15. "Short Track Speed Skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's 500 metres". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
16. "Battulgyn Oktyabri Bio, Stats, and Results". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
17. "Short Track Speed Skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's 1,000 metres Round One". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
18. "Short Track Speed Skating at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games: Men's 1,000 metres". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2018.