PARK CITY, UTAH – The International Olympic Committee wrapped up three days of meetings on Wednesday. During that time, they discussed everything from the rotation of the Olympics within a group of host cities to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Of all the questions still on the table, the IOC said it is looking into various factors, including climate change, as well as former hosts and their existing facilities to help them determine whether the Olympic Games will return to a certain location.
That includes whether there will be an Olympics return to Utah.
Fireworks light up the night sky during the closing ceremony of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium February 24, 2002 in Salt Lake City, UT. (Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)
Utah’s leadership for the Olympics said if they get the call today, they are ready to host.
For those hoping to get an answer one way or another; Whether the Olympics return to Utah during 2030 or 2034, the only confirmed games so far are the waiting game.
First, a decision will need to be made on what a dual prize pool may be for 2030 and 2034 before a definitive answer can be given on whether the Winter Games will rotate between a limited number of cities.
IOC President Thomas Bach said that with a double award, there would be less of a rush, giving more time to set up a strong rotation system.
“I think it would be too late in 2026 even… Four years, even if you have extremely well-prepared cities and regions… Four years I think is quite, quite short,” Bach said.
Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City – Utah Committee for the Games, said that when the green light is given, Utah will be ready to go.
“We have never really stopped our preparation since 2002… We have all the facilities, venues in place. They are active, they are world class and we can use them at any time to host games in the future,” Bullock said.
Emily Cook, a member of the US Olympic Air Ski Team, jumping at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. This is where aerial ski jumpers practice their jumping skills by landing in a pool during the summer months. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Climate change is also a concern.
The IOC Future Hosts Commission said more time was needed to study the impact of climate change, and in turn, the reliability of a host in the coming years.
Bullock said Utah compares well against the Thermostat.
“They are looking at the minimum temperatures over a 10-year forecast, and we have already done some preliminary work on that. We show it very favorably,” Bullock said.
The IOC also addressed the Russo-Ukrainian war.
The sanctions imposed by the IOC on Russia remain in place. However, athletes, as long as they do not get entangled in politics, do not fall under that umbrella.
The hope is that, politics aside, the games will still be the Olympics.
As for how Utah is located, in Park City, for example, the old facilities used in the Games are still in use today.
From the outside, that may help put Utah in a good position for future Olympics.
The IOC said they will meet again in the new year.
