Salt Lake City, Utah will host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the prestigious event to the city during its 142nd Session.
The decision for the Winter Games to return to Utah, which successfully hosted the 2002 edition, was met with overwhelming support from IOC members. Of the 89 valid votes cast, 83 favoured the Salt Lake City bid.
Speaking on the occasion, IOC President, Thomas Bach, said, “Salt Lake City and Utah are long-time friends of the Olympic Movement, and we are confident that they will organise exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games, just as they did years ago. The legacy of 2002 is tangibly and passionately alive in Utah. The legacy of 2034 starts today.”
Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, added, “The Olympics and Paralympics represent so much more than competition. At its core, the Olympic Movement is about building community and celebrating excellence, things we do really well in Utah. More than 80 per cent of Utahns and 100 per cent of our elected leaders supported our Olympic bid. We’re ready to host another Olympic Winter Games, and we can’t wait to welcome the world back to Utah in 2034.”
Karl Stoss, IOC Member and Chair of the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, said, “Olympic Winter Games in Utah represent a fantastic opportunity. This very strong project benefits from an exceptionally high level of public and political support. The athletes will benefit from the great facilities and opportunities this project has to offer.”
The Salt Lake City-Utah bid committee, led by Governor Cox, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) President Gene Sykes, impressed the IOC with a sustainable plan that leveraged existing venues. This approach aligned with the IOC’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the Olympic Games.
The successful bid is expected to generate significant economic growth for Utah and solidify the state’s reputation as a global winter sports destination. The IOC has reiterated its commitment to robust anti-doping measures, a stance fully supported by the Salt Lake City-Utah bid committee.
With the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics now secured, the focus shifts to the detailed planning and preparation required to host a world-class event.