When the world descends on Salt Lake City in a few short weeks, the University of Utah community can be proud.

Not because it is the site of the Olympic Village.

Not because Rice-Eccles Stadium will host the Opening Ceremony.

Though both of these are laudable features that the U can boast of in its glossy media guide, there is one accolade that is the culmination?literally?of blood, sweat, toil and tears.

Two former U ski team members and one current members have made the U.S. 2002 Winter Olympic Ski Team?Torin Koos, Kirstina Joder and Justin Wadsworth.

Saying that Koos is an asset to the U’s cross country team is an understatement. He has consistently performed well throughout the season.

Joder and Wadsworth have both excelled at the U as well.

Though the phrase “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity” has saturated the airwaves as the Games draw near, the recent naming of these U athletes to the American team gives renewed meaning to the phrase.

Students and faculty watching the Games?whether in person or on television?have a rare chance to cheer for the U’s stars on the world’s stage.

Like proud parents, members of the university community have a unique opportunity to unite behind athletes who developed their skiing skills in the U’s own backyard.

Even if you are not a sports fan, respect and celebrate these athletes’ achievements. They have collectively spent more than five decades working toward this goal.

Regardless of whether they reach the medal podium, Wadsworth, Joder and Koos represent something significant in the Olympic Games.

They are not only elite athletes, but they are also students.

And as performers in both of those roles, they fulfill Baron Pierre de Courbertin’s?the father of the modern Olympics?dream for the Games: “To ennoble and strengthen sports?and to enable them to better fulfill the educational role incumbent upon them in the world.”

Follow the competitions of all U Olympians at www.dailyutahchronicle.com.