It seemed like any other contest to UW-Madison senior Avi Libesman'she dropped her name into a box, hoping to win the fabulous prize and promptly forgot about the contest.
It was like any other contest, that is, until Libesman found out she had actually won.
Her fabulous prize was a trip to the Olympics, including airfare for her and a guest, three nights in a hotel, $500 in spending money and tickets to three events'the women's gold medal ice hockey final, the women's giant slalom and the four-man bobsled.
\When they called, I didn't believe it,"" Libesman said. ""I thought someone was playing a bad joke on me. I mean, who wins these things?""
When the man on the phone finally convinced Libesman that she had indeed won the grand prize, she was ecstatic.
""I asked [the man who called], 'Can I get your number? I need to calm down a little bit and then call you back,'"" she said.
Libesman entered the NBC 2002 Olympic Winter Games Viewing Party Sweepstakes after signing up at the Burly Bear Olympic Games Viewing Party held at Wando's, 602 University Ave., on the night of the Opening Ceremony. Fifty of these NBC-sponsored parties were held across the country. At each venue, one name was drawn and put into the pool'along with one Internet winner'to determine the grand prize winner.
""It was one of those things you don't even think twice about because no one ever wins,"" Libesman said.
Once the reality of winning had sunk in, Libesman had to decide who to take with her to Salt Lake City.
""I live with five of my best friends,"" she said. ""We just picked out of a hat. I figured that would be the fair way to do it. ?? [My roommates] were so excited'it was really funny to watch them.""
Frankie Forer, also a UW-Madison senior, was the lucky roommate who accompanied her to the games.
Libesman, who goes to hockey games, basketball games and football games at Madison, said she's not a ""gung-ho sports fan"" but definitely sees the value of sports.
""I just like the aspect of the athlete, how hard they try and their dedication,"" she said.
Once in Utah, the pair not only attended the hockey game and the giant slalom but also went skiing and shopping. As far as Olympic events go, Libesmen said she enjoyed the hockey game the most.
""The women's hockey game was the most amazing [event],"" she said. ""It was nice to see the medal stand afterward. As corny as it sounds, it's so emotional. You see these athletes get all teary-eyed and either happy [that they won] or sad that they lost.""
Libesman said the emotions could be felt in the stands as well.
""The whole vibe in the stadium was just unbelievable,"" Libesman said. ""It's so exciting. You're on this ridiculous high.""
Libesman and Forer had time for sports of their own and went skiing one day of the trip.
Libesman and her friends were surprised by the lack of visible diversity in the crowd of spectators at the Games.
""We thought there weren't many international people'I was surprised by it. Maybe it's just because we didn't meet them,"" she said.
They also hit Main Street, which is where all the action is, according to Libesman.
""It's fun stores, with people walking around and lots of demonstrations [of things like dancing],"" she said. ""People there are having fun and riled up. That was my favorite place.""
The big item at the Olympics this year were the ""Roots berets,"" worn by the U.S. Olympic team.
""Those were the things to get this year,"" Libesman said. ""People would wait in a three and a half hour line [to get them]. We waited in line, as cold and freezing as it was. The next day, everyone was like, 'How much did you pay for that hat?' or 'How long did you wait in line for that hat?' I felt like a movie star.""
The atmosphere of the Games was another favorite aspect of the trip.
""[My favorite thing was] to see the cameraderie and patriotism that everybody had there,"" Libesman said. ""Everyone was friendly. Everyone was there for the same reason. It was just really reassuring, especially with everything after Sept. 11.""
While Libesman said the events of Sept. 11 weren't a pervasive element of the atmosphere at the Olympics, she said it was on her mind.
""It was not a focus, just something I thought about,"" she said. ""It's a crowded place, and people get nervous now in a place like that.""
Despite the enormous number of spectators and athletes who attended the Olympics and the abundance of bag checking and other forms of security both in the airports and at the games in Salt Lake City, Libesman said she felt safe and that comfort wasn't sacrificed for security.
""I was shocked at how well organized everything was,"" she said. ""Everything just ran smoothly. You were never annoyed that you were waiting in a line. It was a safe atmosphere, and I think that's what surprised me the most.\
