Salt Lake City, Utah has been selected to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a decision made during the 142nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Paris, France, on July 24, 2024. This historic decision marks the fifth time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in the USA and 32 years since Utah last hosted the world.
"Our strategy remained steadfast for over 20 years," said Utah Sports Commission President & CEO Jeff Robbins. "Utah has stayed ready, willing, and able to host another Winter Games, and the time has finally come as we welcome the world back to Utah for the 2034 Olympics and Paralympics."
The road for a future Winter Games formally began in February 2012 when then-Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Utah Sports Commission President & CEO Jeff Robbins, along with other community, sports, and public leaders, formed an exploratory committee to consider a future bid. The current Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games was created in February 2020.
As the decade continued, Utah's bid strengthened. In December 2018, Salt Lake City-Utah was selected as America's Choice by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Then in November 2023, Utah was named as Preferred Host by the International Olympic Committee.
The anticipation for the 2034 Games is already building, with the Olympics tentatively scheduled from February 10-26 and the Paralympics from March 10-19, 2034. This nomination places Utah in a unique position, continuing America's proud legacy of hosting the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, with previous events in Lake Placid (1932, 1980), Olympic Valley (1960), and Salt Lake City (2002).
Since the 2002 Winter Games, US Speedskating, USA Climbing, and U.S. Biathlon all joined U.S. Ski & Snowboard in calling Utah home and building onto Utah's Olympic and Paralympic legacy. The world-class facilities built for the Games now serve as the Designated Official U.S. Olympic Training Sites for current and future Olympians and Paralympians.
The Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games left a lasting impact on The State of Sport and became intertwined with the fabric of Utah and the Utah Sports Commission's identity. Now, the state of Utah has the opportunity to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and witness firsthand the influence these games will have on the upcoming decades.
More than 40% of Team USA is composed of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes, who traditionally win over 60% of medals earned at the Games.
The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are scheduled to utilize 13 existing venues from the 2002 Games alongside a single temporary venue. The venues will span the state, with skiing and snowboarding events expected to be hosted at Deer Valley Resort, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Park City Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, the Utah Olympic Park, and a temporary structure for freeski and snowboard big air in downtown Salt Lake City.
"We are thrilled to have Salt Lake City, Utah formally selected to host another Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, who was present at the bid announcement in Paris. "We know that the Games help to inspire the world and the next generation of athletes, and we are eager to be strong supporters and ambassadors of the Games in our home of Utah."
"I'm so excited and honored to be part of the team officially bringing the Olympics back to Salt Lake City!" said Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who participated in the presentation in Paris and serves as Chair of Athlete Experience for the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 bid committee. "This feels like a full-circle moment for me, recalling the magic of my first Olympics here in 2002. As Chair of Athlete Experience for Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, my focus is on creating an unparalleled experience not just for the athletes, but for the families who support them every step of the way. Salt Lake City is such a special place, and I'm excited to share it with the world again."