by Sindre from Lillehammer asks Santa if he has a sleigh and reindeer, learns about the 1994 Winter Olympics held in his town, and hears about its lasting Olympic legacy
Dear Santa, my name is Sindre and I am nine years old. I live in Lillehammer, Norway, where my bestefar says the whole world watched our town very closely, just once, a long time ago.
Dear Sindre, your bestefar is entirely right, and I have flown over that particular history with real pride for a very long time.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, does Santa have a sleigh and reindeer? My little cousin wanted to confirm it was truly reindeer and not something else entirely.
You may confirm it fully, Sindre. My sleigh is pulled by a team of reindeer, each one trained carefully over many years. There is no substitute for a properly experienced reindeer team.
My second question is about the Olympics. My teacher says Lillehammer hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994. Is that true?
It is, Sindre. Lillehammer hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics, widely remembered as one of the most beautifully organized Winter Games in history. Flying over your town each Christmas Eve, I always notice that lingering Olympic pride.
My third question is about the legacy. My teacher says the facilities built for the Olympics are still used today. Is that true?
It is true, Sindre. Many of the ski jumps, tracks, and arenas built for the 1994 Games remain in use today, hosting events and training athletes decades later. I think it is a wonderful thing when a community’s proudest moment continues serving them long afterward.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Sindre Moen
Lillehammer, Norway
P.S. Did you watch the Olympics from the sleigh?
As much as I could, Sindre. It was hard to look away.
