Salt Lake City Wins Bid to Host 2034 Winter Olympics, French Alps Awarded 2030 Games
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Salt Lake City, Utah, will host the 2034 Winter Olympics, marking a return to the city that successfully hosted the games in 2002. The IOC also awarded the 2030 Winter Games to the French Alps, pending additional financial guarantees from organizers. These decisions were made following a vote by the IOC members, solidifying the next five Olympic Games on the global calendar.
Key Takeaways:
- Salt Lake City’s 2034 Bid: After overcoming initial concerns related to US support for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Salt Lake City secured the 2034 Winter Olympics bid with an impressive 83-6 vote from IOC members. The bid was bolstered by the city’s existing Olympic infrastructure and the promise of minimal financial strain on local taxpayers.
- French Alps’ 2030 Bid: The French Alps were awarded the 2030 Winter Olympics contingent on securing additional financial support from organizers. This will be the fourth time France will host the Winter Olympics, following previous events in Chamonix (1924), Grenoble (1968), and Albertville (1992).
- Financial Considerations: Salt Lake City’s bid emphasized the city’s existing infrastructure and the lack of need for extensive new construction, ensuring minimal taxpayer burden. This point resonated with the IOC, demonstrating the city’s commitment to a sustainable and financially responsible approach to hosting the Games.
- U.S. Support for WADA: The IOC initially expressed concern about potential U.S. reluctance to support WADA, stemming from a Congressional investigation into alleged doping by Chinese swimmers. However, Salt Lake City officials reassured the IOC of their strong commitment to WADA’s efforts to combat doping in sports.
- Global Olympic Calendar: With these decisions, the next five Olympic Games are now largely locked in. The US will host both the Summer (Los Angeles, 2028) and Winter Games (Salt Lake City, 2034), while Paris is set to host the upcoming summer (2024) and Milan-Cortina (2026) will host the next Winter Games.
Salt Lake City: A Familiar Venue
Salt Lake City’s return to the Olympic stage comes after a successful 2002 Winter Games. The city’s experience and existing infrastructure have been hailed as key factors in its successful bid.
"The last 10 days of my life were totally unexpected," said Fraser Bullock, head of the Salt Lake City bid. "We were just cruising towards the final award and then this came up and we had to address it."
Bullock believes the IOC’s confidence in Salt Lake City’s 2034 bid is strong. He emphasized the city’s commitment to a "constructive" approach to working with the U.S. and the global anti-doping community.
The French Alps: A Continuing Tradition
The French Alps have been a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts for generations. This tradition, along with strong political backing from French President Emmanuel Macron, has fueled the bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics.
The IOC’s conditional award highlights the need for France to demonstrate financial commitment to hosting the Games. The IOC’s decision highlights the crucial role that financial backing will play in ensuring the success of the French Alps’ bid.
Future of the Olympic Movement
The selection of Salt Lake City and the French Alps represents a continued commitment to the Olympic Movement’s vision of bringing the world together through sport.
With these decisions, the next five Olympic Games are now largely locked in. The world will now turn its attention to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which kick off later this month. The eyes of the world will be on the City of Lights as the Games return to their birthplace 100 years after the inaugural Olympic Games in 1924.
The future of the Olympic movement looks bright, with a diverse range of cities and nations ready to embrace the global sporting spectacle. The coming years promise a celebration of athletic excellence, cultural exchange, and the power of sport to bridge divides and bring people together.
