From his vantage point as chairman of the board for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, Robert Garff experienced firsthand the drama that comes of conquering one's self as exemplified by world-class athletes during the recent 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Photo by Shaun Stahle

Robert Garff

So for the night of the Paralympic Opening Ceremonies Mar. 7, he purchased 2,000 tickets so his employees and their families could also attend events and taste of the same victory.

"The Olympics were bigger than life, a once-in-a-lifetime experience," he said, speaking from his office in his Mercedes Benz dealership in Salt Lake City. "I want them to experience that triumph," he said, illustrating his point by recounting the experience of a blind skier who raced in a World Cup event last year.

"Blind skiers race much the same course as Olympic skiers," he said. "They memorize the course in advance and then follow a forerunner who guides them down the course by the sound of their skis. They come out of the starting gate like they're falling down an elevator shaft and are going about 65 mph in the first 60 yards."

Speaking of the race last year ago, Brother Garff told how the forerunner fell early in the course, leaving the blind skier only a split second to decide what to do. The skier figured he came to race, not to quit, so he continued on his own, relying on his memory to ski the course. He successfully skied the course but didn't know when he crossed the finished line and crashed into the barricades at the end.

"That took real courage," Brother Garff said of the skier's determination to finish.

As chairman of SLOC, Brother Garff was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the Olympics, but was responsible for the board and board committees that approved budgets, policies and procedures. During the Olympics he helped host 20 heads of state, during which he heard their expressions of joy and appreciation for the hospitality and friendliness and beauty of the area.

"Imagine the impression the Olympics had on these heads of state who set policy in their countries and now know that we are God-fearing people who are friendly and love our families. The Olympics bridged continents and different faiths and the skepticism of some religions.

"I was thrilled to be a small part of it," he said.

The legacy of these Games, he believes, will be manifest in future generations as the youth of Utah train at the Olympic venues.

"I remember a story told about [speedskater] Bonny Blair when her mother was asked why her child did so well in the Olympics. She said it was because the field of play was in her backyard.

Because of the construction of such state-of-the-art facilities, "I expect the youth of Utah to be the heroes of the future," he said.

For Brother Garff, the Olympics and Paralympics are not so much about the medal count, as it is the struggle — the striving to be better than you were. It's a philosophy of success learned from his father. It's a philosophy he and his wife, Kathi, employed in raising five children. Now grown and working together in the family business, they have developed their car dealerships from a two car franchise system to 21 franchises in Utah.

Brother Garff's appointment as chairman of the SLOC board came after a lifetime of civic and Church service. "I love to serve," he said. As a former bishop, stake president, mission president, regional representative and Speaker of the House in the Utah Legislature, Brother Garff has lived a life rich in service and true to his creed.

He accepted the assignment of SLOC board chairman at a time when finances were "circling the drain," as SLOC President Mitt Romney described. But having repaid $59 million to the State of Utah for money borrowed in the early 1990s, and after investing another $40 million for the future maintenance and operations of the venues, SLOC staged the Games without leaving any debt for taxpayers to assume.

This comes of raising more money through sponsorships than has ever been raised by past host cities, and by selling 96 percent of tickets as compared with 88 percent of past Games, said Brother Garff, who quickly added that volunteers and staff deserve the accolades for the Games success.

Looking back on the Olympic Games, Brother Garff said, "I don't think there's any question that the Lord's hand was involved. I know of only one person who can control the weather," he mused.

Brother Garff told of his wife's experience hosting the wives of the International Olympic Committee members. By following the Church's policy to not promote the gospel, she found that people came to her asking questions with a receptive attitude.

From his experience he found it to be like a writing by Nathaniel Hawthorne who compared happiness to a butterfly that is elusive when chased, but may land on your shoulder if you sit quietly.

"By [Kathi] not pushing the Church, the wives of the IOC members came to her asking to visit Church sites. Their two favorite sites became This Is The Place Pioneer Heritage Park and the Family History Library."

The Olympics were "overwhelming," he said. "Sixty days ago I wouldn't have dreamed it could be this successful. The Games exceeded everyone's expectations. People may have come thinking we were stodgy, but they left with impressions of faith and kindness."

E-mail: shaun@desnews.com