The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games took another step forward in its quest to bring the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games back to Utah. Today (June 12), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board followed a recommendation by the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games and proposed to put SLC-UT 2034 forward to an election of the full IOC Session which will meet in Paris July 22-24.
“This is a milestone day for our Utah communities, our athletes, and for our country,” said SLC-UT 2034 President and CEO Fraser Bullock. “We deeply appreciate the support and trust from the IOC, and we look forward to our final presentation and the election in Paris.
The Future Host Commission, led by Karl Stoss, traveled to Utah in mid-April. During that time, its members visited every venue and had an opportunity to engage with the community and sports members. The Commission gave positive feedback based on that visit and its additional research.
“The new election process with the IOC has been very productive in allowing us to have a dialogue that helps us to work in close partnership to not only deliver a great Games but to use the platform to benefit our communities long term through sport,” added Bullock.
“Today marks a wonderful milestone for Salt Lake City and the State of Utah in their effort to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games back to the United States in 2034,” said Sarah Hirshland, USOPC CEO. “From the beginning of the process, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee has put forward a clear vision for the Games, for winter sport, and for the community in Utah. It’s great to see that recognized and celebrated by the IOC – and we thank the Future Host Commission and the Executive Board for this endorsement.”
In looking at SLC-UT 2034, the IOC cited the opportunity to extend the transformative benefits of the 2002 Winter Games in Utah to a new generation, making the resources and experience of Utah available for the benefit of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and making the most of a unique compact Games concept.
The IOC also noted the alignment of SLC-UT 2034 with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5 with regional socio economic development plans, in particular around sustainability and creating long-term benefits for the region and potentially the country. The IOC also called out Utah’s proven ability to deliver high-level sports competitions and its commitment to put the experience of athletes and their families at the core, with state-of-the-art venues from 2002 maintained to very high standards and all within an hour of the Olympic Village.
In addition to the recommendation for SLC-UT 2034, the IOC Executive Board also put forward the French Alps 2030.
In the lead-up to the expected July 24 election in Paris, SLC-UT 2034 officials will also make a technical presentation to IOC members on June 26. At the IOC Session in Paris, a delegation of USOPC and SLC-UT 2034 officials, including Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and USOPC leadership will formally present to the IOC.
By Melissa Majchrzak