It was the first ISU competition after the much publicized 2002 Olympic judging controversy. Neither pairs gold medalists chose to attend. Both went pro soon after.
2002 Worlds was the first time Israel had ever won a medal at Worlds.
Due to the large number of participants, the men's and ladies' qualifying groups were split into groups A and B.
The first compulsory dance was the Golden Waltz. The second was the Quickstep.[1]