Meno, Sand Approved For Olympics Action

Jenni Meno and Todd Sand, the No. 2 U.S. pairs team, can start packing their bags for Nagano.

Meno and Sand, named to the Olympic team despite withdrawing from the figure skating nationals after Meno sprained her ankle, were cleared for competition Tuesday. A panel of five judges made the decision after watching the three-time U.S. champions and two-time bronze world medalists perform their free skate.

“We were happy with how we did and the judges were, too,” Meno said in a conference call. “We were most happy because we were able to do the throws, which have the most impact on my ankle.”

Meno badly bruised a bone in her ankle earlier this month when she fell during the last practice before the pairs free skate at nationals. She and Sand, her husband, went through warmups a few hours later, but Meno was in obvious pain and coach John Nicks finally coaxed her off the ice.

She left in tears, Sand following right behind her.

An agreement was signed making the yet-to-be constructed Provo Ice Sheet the 10th and final piece of the 2002 Olympic sports venue puzzle, completing the package organizers will submit to the International Olympic Committee.

Provo, Utah, Mayor Lewis K. Billings, Salt Lake Organizing Committee President Frank Joklik and Max Rabner of Seven Peaks Management Co., which will operate the facility, signed the agreement.

Billings said he is most excited about the opportunities for children who will use the two ice skating rinks.