Salt Lake City is on the brink of being awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics, with officials citing the city’s strong infrastructure and overwhelming public support as key factors in the decision. The city previously hosted the Games in 2002, and International Olympic Committee representatives recently visited to hear plans for a “no-build” Games.
With no other cities in the running for the 2034 Games, Salt Lake City is poised to secure the bid later this year. Catherine Raney-Norman, chair of the Salt Lake City – Utah Committee for the Games, expressed excitement over the positive feedback from the IOC representatives following their visit.
Unlike other cities that have shied away from hosting the Olympics due to concerns about cost overruns, Salt Lake City has maintained over 80% public support for the Games for the past 20 years. Raney-Norman emphasized the city’s focus on community impact rather than building new infrastructure.
The city is prepared to handle the growth of the Winter Olympics since 2002, with plans to host new events like big air at temporary venues. The University of Utah will serve as the athlete village, and dialogue is already underway with the LA28 organizing committee to maximize synergies between the two events.
As Salt Lake City awaits the official announcement of its hosting duties on July 24, Raney-Norman sees the opportunity as a way to elevate the Olympic and Paralympic movement in the United States through collaboration and innovation. The 2034 Winter Olympics could be a “generational opportunity” for the country, showcasing the city’s ability to successfully host the world’s premier winter sports event.