The International Olympic Committee met in a session last week in Switzerland. There the committee received an update on future Winter Olympic Host cities. The update included only three cities by name, Salt Lake being one of them.
As part of an effort to update the selection process of future Olympic Host cities the International Olympic Committee created a Future Host Commission. The Winter Future Host Commission Chair Octavian Morariu of Romania presented to the IOC in their 135th Session on January 10th in Switzerland.
“The IOC has been in dialogue with a number of interested parties for the Olympic Winter Games over the last few years,” Morariu said. “Please note that this interest is non edition specific and could be either for 2030, 2034, or even 2038.”
Marariu gave brief presentations on the three interested parties, those being Sapporo, Japan; Pyrennes, Spain; and Salt Lake City, Utah. All three interested cities have published a feasibility study although the Future Host Commission notes that each potential host is at different stages of development.
“A feasibility study was published by Salt Lake City and Utah governments in February 2018,” Morariu continued. “The games concept is fully in line with Olympic agenda 2020, with 100% of existing venues. The city and the state are in full support. United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has selected Salt Lake City for a United States candidature for a future Olympic Winter Games.”
Marariu noted that Sapparo has 92% of existing venues and expects them to enter into formal dialogue with the committee later this month. While Spain’s National Olympic Committee is yet to formalize their talks with the International Olympic Committee. Marariu outlined the next steps for selecting future Winter Olympic Host cities.
“The commission will continue the dialogue with any interested parties,” Morariu explained. “For future Commission meetings the Commission will also study the long-term opportunities and challenges related to winter sports and the Olympic Winter Games, including climate change.”
The 2028 Summer Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles. With the 2030 Winter Olympic games less than two years after the LA games, some local officials have expressed that a 2034 or 2038 bid for Salt Lake City may be more likely.
