Mongolia at the 2002 Winter Olympics

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]

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]

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]