Another US City Scores Big as New Olympic Host

Salt Lake City, which hosted the Winter Games in 2002, will once again welcome the world as it has been awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics. The announcement was made official by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday.

The capital city of Utah had been the sole candidate for the 2034 Games. This exclusivity was granted last year when the IOC fast-tracked the selection process and gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights. The decision underscores the committee’s confidence in Salt Lake City’s ability to host a successful event.

The bid team that secured the win for Salt Lake City featured prominent figures such as Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, and Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn. In Salt Lake City, a public watch party was held at 3 a.m. to witness the live announcement from Paris, marking a moment of celebration.

Competing bids from countries like Germany, Austria, Italy, and Slovenia were considered but did not make it to the final negotiation stages. Details about these bids were not publicly disclosed.

With this successful bid, Salt Lake City will reprise its role as an Olympic host 32 years after it first welcomed the Winter Games. This decision aligns with the trend of major U.S. cities hosting significant sporting events, as Los Angeles is set to host the Summer Olympics in 2028.

The announcement comes just two days before the Paris Olympic Games’ opening ceremony. Additionally, France has also been selected to host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, creating a parallel situation to the U.S. by hosting two Olympic events within a short period—Los Angeles in 2028 and Salt Lake City in 2034.

The 2030 Winter Olympics will take place in the French Alps, a region renowned for its winter sports. The events in the French Alps will mark another significant milestone in the sporting calendar.