Utah’s Olympic And Paralympic Winter Games Dream Becomes Reality, Once Again
by Brian Pinelli
PARIS – Some 32 years after Salt Lake City successfully hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 2002, while creating lifelong, indelible memories, Utah will have the honor of proudly welcoming the winter sports world, once again, in 2034.
“We’re back, baby! The Olympics are coming back to Utah,” proclaimed Utah Governor Spencer Cox, at the 142nd International Olympic Committee Session in Paris, on Wednesday.
Cox’s declaration came shortly after IOC president Thomas Bach announced the award to the Salt Lake City preferred candidature following 83 affirmative votes out of a possible total of 89. The official award comes after a decade-long process of preparation, evaluation and partnership.
“You will find us to be the best of partners – we’re ready to deliver extraordinary Games,” said U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee president Gene Sykes, addressing the IOC members convened in Paris, during the Utah candidature’s official presentation.
“The Game are a platform unlike any other in the world," Sykes said. "Our desire is to bring hope, inspiration and unity to the world that is needed. The Games have the power to unite us and make an impact in so many ways."
The major strengths of the SLC candidature, now an official Olympic Host City, has been its existing, world class venues; 100 percent political support across all levels; 80 percent public support, and an incredible legacy left behind from the 2002 Winter Games.
Unique to other Olympic Games, there will just be one Olympic Village to house the athletes in 2034 and all venues are within 60 miles, and many within 30 miles. Familiar venues Utah Olympic Park, Utah Olympic Oval and the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center – all of which are part of the Utah Legacy Foundation – are among the numerous venues built for 2002 that will once again be home to events in 2034.
“We have fantastic venues that are world class, gorgeous and beautiful, but the people of Utah love the Games,” said president and CEO Fraser Bullock. “It’s in our DNA – the people understand the power of the Games bringing the world together in unity, so we embrace that and look forward to hosting in 2034.”
USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland addressed the world’s media at a news conference following the award at the Main Press Center in Paris, three days before the opening of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. She noted the numerous positive aspects as the SLC Winter Games will follow less than six years after the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
“I think the next decade is the most important decade in United States sport history – we have an opportunity to showcase an incredible diversity, not only in sport, but of athletes in a way that will inspire communities and athletes alike across our country and we haven’t had that opprtunity in more than 30 years,” Hirschland said.
“As we heard the governor refererence, there are a lot of individuals who arent familiar with this movement and haven’t experineced the Games the way many did in LA in ’84, and Salt Lake in 2002 and Atlanta in ‘96.
“Our job is to use this next decade to reintroduce and introduce the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the American citizens. We’ve got a decade to do that in new and exciting ways. It’s an awesome opportunity.”
Bullock, who served as chief operating officer for the Salt Lake Olympic Committee in 2002, also focused on the exceptional passion for the Olympic Games among the majority of the 3.5 million Utah citizens.
“Utah loves the Games and what they mean to the world,” he added passionately.
“We had such a successful Games in 2002, welcoming the world and the way we unified around a tragic event – 9/11, just months before and that brought people together,” Utah Governor Cox said. “That memory resonates with people and they want to bring it back.”
Salt Lake City – Utah board chair Catherine Raney Norman, a four-time Olympian in speedskating, also delivered a poignant speech as part of the Utah bid’s presentation to the IOC.
“Dreams are the fuel of our movement – athletes dream of standing on the podium, teams dream of proudly representing their countries, humanity dreams of the Games power to unite the world and Salt Lake City, Utah 2034 dreams of harnessing our passionate history to forge a new future for the Winter Games,” Raney Norman said.
Sykes added highly confidently: “We are ready – everything is in place.”