United States set to kick off a decade of sport as Salt Lake City celebrates 2034 Winter Olympics bid milestone
It waited two days, but seemed appropriate that Salt Lake City launched its celebration of the final big step towards being awarded the 2034 Olympic Winter Games while the city was on the brink of the season’s first major snowfall event.
On Friday night the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic bid board of directors signed an acceptance letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) acknowledging the project’s inclusion in the ‘targeted dialogue’ stage of the bid process, and then the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic cauldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium was ceremoniously relit as hundreds of gathered residents erupted in celebration.
The good news came Wednesday after the IOC’s Executive Board meeting where Salt Lake City – on the recommendation of the IOC’s Future Host Commission (FHC) – was named the only preferred candidate for hosting in 2034. Translation: After dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s in already-written documents required from SLC-UT to firm up plans, the bid will go to the IOC’s all-members Session next July in Paris for an expected rubberstamp of approval.
Then the real party can begin.
You guys did that, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Sarah Hirshland said.
Seriously, that’s incredible. Ten years in which this country will be the center of the sporting world and it gives us the opportunity to lead in a way we’ve never led before.
So thank you for putting us in that position. … We’re going to kill it together.
The Board of Directors did manage to cover some business in addition to the letter to be delivered to the IOC.
New branding was introduced to make clear that the target Games will now be the 2034 edition, removing the possibility of SLC-UT being plan B for the 2030 Games – something that the bid offered the Olympic Movement if no other options were found by the IOC.
That need was eliminated Wednesday when the IOC named French Alps to targeted dialogue for 2030, eliminating Sweden from the race and positioning Switzerland for 2038 in a new ‘privileged dialogue’ phase.
IOC Executives confirmed at a press conference Thursday that there is no chance the Utah capital would be asked to host in 2030 instead.
For the cauldron lighting the bid team donned new swag marked with the words Salt Lake City Utah – Aspiring to Host The Olympic and Paralympic Games 2034.
The board was briefed on expectations from targeted dialogue that include the completion of bid files and agreements to be reviewed by the IOC. Stakeholders will be further engaged and preparations will be made to form an organizing committee after the final vote.
The IOC’s questionnaire response with details of the project is due February 28 and the guarantee file by March 31. The IOC FHC will conduct a site evaluation in April and the expectation is that Salt Lake City will be approved to appear on the final election ballot in June.
The final IOC membership election will take place either July 23 or 24 in Paris at the Session ahead of the Summer Games.
July 24 will be Pioneer Day in Utah, a state holiday, allowing for the possibility of bigger celebrations.
With Salt Lake City being named the only preferred candidate for hosting the 2034 Olympic Winter Games, the United States is gearing up to kick off a decade of sport like never before. The Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic bid board of directors recently signed an acceptance letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), officially entering the project into the ‘targeted dialogue’ stage of the bid process. This significant milestone was commemorated by relighting the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic cauldron at Rice-Eccles Stadium, sparking elation among hundreds of residents in attendance.
The IOC’s Future Host Commission (FHC) recommended Salt Lake City during the Executive Board meeting that took place on Wednesday. Following the completion of necessary documents and plans, the bid will be presented to the IOC’s all-members Session in Paris next July, where it is expected to receive final approval. This decision will mark the beginning of an exciting journey for Salt Lake City and the United States, as they prepare to host the Winter Games in 2034.
The CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Sarah Hirshland, expressed her gratitude for the milestone achievement, recognizing the tremendous efforts that went into the bid. She emphasized that the United States will now have the opportunity to lead the sporting world in an unprecedented way, expressing confidence in the success of this endeavor.
The Salt Lake City bid has been in development for a decade and received the USOPC nomination in 2018. After being named the sole preferred candidate for the 2034 Games, the bid team introduced new branding reaffirming their commitment to this edition and eliminating the possibility of being a backup option for the 2030 Games. Wednesday’s announcement removed Sweden from the race for 2030, and the French Alps were chosen for targeted dialogue, while Switzerland is being considered for 2038 in a new ‘privileged dialogue’ phase.
The IOC confirmed that Salt Lake City will not be asked to host the 2030 Games, further solidifying their position as the chosen candidate for 2034. The bid team celebrated the achievement by illuminating the cauldron with the words Salt Lake City Utah – Aspiring to Host The Olympic and Paralympic Games 2034 displayed on their new swag.
As the targeted dialogue phase begins, the bid team will focus on completing bid files and agreements required for review by the IOC. The involvement of stakeholders will be essential, and preparations for forming an organizing committee will commence after the final vote. The IOC’s questionnaire response, detailing the project, is due on February 28, with the guarantee file submission deadline on March 31. In April, the IOC FHC will conduct a site evaluation, and Salt Lake City is expected to appear on the final election ballot in June.
The final IOC membership election will take place in July, coinciding with the Session held prior to the Summer Games. The possibility of celebrating on Pioneer Day in Utah further adds to the excitement surrounding the potential approval of Salt Lake City as the host for the 2034 Winter Olympics. This momentous occasion is set to mark the beginning of a decade of unprecedented sporting events in the United States, showcasing the nation’s commitment to fostering a culture of athleticism and international collaboration.
