The Salt Lake City-Utah bid for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was positively highlighted in a detailed report issued by the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games. The report was submitted to all IOC Members and published released this week, after being presented to the IOC’s Executive Board on June 12. At that time, the board affirmed the recommendation of the Future Host Commission to put SLC-UT 2034 forward for election by the full IOC Session in Paris on July 22-24.
“The report mirrored our very productive discussions with the Future Host Commission,” said SLC-UT 2034 President and CEO Fraser Bullock. “It has been an engaging process and the report is a tribute to the work of many in our state, along with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, that we have been able to present a project that is in alignment with IOC Agenda 2020 and 2020+5 and has such strong public, corporate, and governmental support.”
The report spotlighted the initiatives of SLC-UT 2034 to extend the transformative benefits of the 2002 Games to a new generation. It called out the strong support of local communities, elected representatives, the business sector, venue operators and academics – all aligned in encouraging future generations. Those transformative benefits are encapsulated in the SLC-UT 2034 vision to elevate communities, sport and the games experience.
The report also cited the utilization and maintenance of existing venues, with athletes from over 30 nations training in Utah. It showcased the fact that the Games will feature a sustainable masterplan with no new permanent venues to be built, and a single athlete village with all competition venues within an hour’s drive.
The report specifically cited the alignment with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, as well as with socio-economic development plans across the region.
The living legacy, which began in the lead-up to the 2002 Games, was a primary component of the report. It acknowledged the success of the legacy strategy for over two decades with community-based programs like the Youth Sports Alliance in Park City and other sport clubs, citing renewed plans for 2034 that will focus on youth, greater sustainability, broader inclusion and unity, innovative sport experiences, and deeper sport legacies.
It acknowledged the work of Utah’s two legacy entities including the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and Utah Sports Commission. The Legacy Foundation was cited for its work in managing 2002 venues, while the Sports Commission has helped bring over 1,100 national and international level events to Utah, including 175 at the elite level. “Our living legacy has helped bring our communities together through sport and to bring value to our state,” said Bullock. “The work of Jeff Robbins with the Utah Sports Commission and Colin Hilton with the Olympic Legacy Foundation has been fundamental to the success of our bid.”
The Future Host Commission lauded the SLC-UT 2034 for its “One event, two Games” approach to inclusion of the Paralympics. In 2002, Salt Lake City was the first ever to produce the Paralympics with the same organizing committee. Para sport has now become integral to the region, with programs like the National Ability Center, research at the University of Utah, and TRAILS.
In 2023, Soldier Hollow played host to a FIS Para Nordic World Cup, featuring both biathlon and cross country. SLC-UT 2034 is anticipating an increased focus on elite Para events in the lead-up to 2034.
The report also included a variety of areas the IOC will continue to monitor in the journey of hosting the 2034 Games. Among these were confirmation of additional hotel rooms for the Games. Nearly 10 years out, the bid committee has already secured under contract 21,000 of the required 24,000 rooms. With new events on the Olympic program, final venue homologations will be required from international federations such as the International Ski & Snowboard Federation. That process is well underway. The report’s Venue Master Plan included details on all venues, including upgrades that are covered in the organizing committee budget.
The IOC is also continuing to observe how a future sports and entertainment district in downtown Salt Lake City may impact the Games footprint.
The report was compiled by the Future Host Commission following its four-day visit to Utah in April. Proposed dates of the 2034 Games are Feb. 10-26 for the Olympics and March 10-19 for Paralympics.
On June 26 SLC-UT 2034 will make its first appearance to the full IOC membership with a virtual technical presentation. On July 24 the SLC-UT 2034 delegation will make an in-person presentation to the IOC Session in Paris leading into the election.
Report by the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Games
Salt Lake City-Utah 2034