SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced its full support for Salt Lake City’s bid to host the 2034 Winter Games. This decision has been met with much excitement and enthusiasm from the city’s residents and leaders.
Salt Lake City is one of the few places where the Olympic fever still burns strong. The city has not only preserved its Olympic facilities, but it has also maintained a high level of public enthusiasm for the Games. As the IOC begins its final visit before the formal announcement in July, they have praised the city for its long-term strategy to keep the spirit of the Olympics alive.
The reminders of the 2002 Winter Games can be seen throughout the city, from the towering cauldron overlooking the valley to the Olympic emblem stamped on manhole covers downtown. Even the airport has a prominent arch that welcomes visitors to an Olympic city.
These remnants are a testament to the city’s commitment to the Games and the pride it takes in being a host city. The IOC officials were greeted with such excitement and hospitality that it felt like the 2002 Winter Games never ended.
In the decades since Salt Lake City first hosted the Winter Games, the number of potential hosts has drastically reduced. The Olympics is known to be a costly affair, and the effects of climate change have limited the number of suitable locations. Despite facing a bribery scandal that almost derailed the 2002 Games, Salt Lake City has worked its way back into the good graces of the IOC.
Christophe Dubi, the Executive Director of the Olympic Games, stated that Salt Lake City is a prime candidate for a permanent rotation of host cities. He also mentioned that the IOC is looking for opportunities to work together rather than focusing on challenges in the next 10 years.
The committee was left with only two bid cities for the 2022 Winter Olympics – Beijing, China, and Almaty, Kazakhstan – as several European contenders dropped out due to financial, political, and public concerns. This highlights the fact that the IOC needs Salt Lake City more than the city needs the Olympics.
Jules Boykoff, a sports and politics professor at Pacific University, stated that Salt Lake City has the upper hand in dictating terms to the IOC, including funds, deadlines, and even which sports are included. With NBC’s multibillion-dollar broadcasting contract with the IOC set to expire in 2032, the committee has a vested interest in selecting a U.S. city in a better time zone for live broadcasts.
For Utah Governor Spencer Cox, securing the bid to host the 2034 Winter Games is a crucial step in cementing the state as North America’s winter sports capital. The state has been actively trying to attract professional sports leagues and international events to showcase its sports and tourism potential. Hosting events like last year’s NBA All-Star Game has helped in improving the state’s image and dispelling any misconceptions about Utah being a “bizarre, hyper-religious place.”
It is a well-known fact that about half of Utah’s 3.4 million residents and the majority of state leaders belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dave Lunt, a historian at Southern Utah University, believes that hosting the Games will give the state’s residents, especially the members of the Mormon Church, a chance to showcase their values and clear up any misconceptions the world may have about them.
He stated, “Latter-day Saints really just want to be liked. No disrespect or anything, that’s my community, but there’s this history of wanting to show that we fit in, we’re good Americans. We’re happy to host the party at our house.”
The 2002 Winter Games, considered one of the most successful Olympics, brought government funding for a light-rail system and world-class athletic facilities. It also led to significant growth in the city’s infrastructure and economy.
The bid leaders for Salt Lake City have not released a budget estimate yet, but they have assured the IOC that they can keep costs down by using most of the same venues that have been maintained since 2002. They have also highlighted the bipartisan support for hosting the Games in a predominantly Republican state with a Democratic capital.
Unlike many other cities, the residents of Salt Lake City did not get to vote on whether they wanted to host another Olympics. However, leaders have stated that their polling shows over 80% approval statewide for hosting the Games.
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