Salt Lake 2034 Winter Olympic Bid Committee, Its Work Done, Formally Dissolves

With its work securing the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games done, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games gathered one final time on Wednesday for the group’s formal dissolution in a moment that was a celebration of the work done, a celebration of the holiday season and a moment to step back and realize what has been accomplished.

“It’s emotional because it’s so personal to me,” said Board Chair Catherine Raney-Norman. “I’ve lived this. I know the athletes. I’m part of this community. I’m a mom. If you could take every piece of what brings about hopes and dreams, I feel like I’m living it right now.”

Salt Lake City will host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games after the IOC voted 83-6 in July to return the Winter Games to Utah and the United States for the first time since 2002. The next step in the road to 2034 will be the official formation of an organizing committee for the Games, the composition of which will be announced early next year.

The SLC-Utah Committee for the Games was formed in February 2020 with Bullock heading the group. It named Raney-Norman, a speedskater who competed in four Winter Games including 2002, as board chair in June 2021.

The bid group itself was fairly small, therefore taking on multiple roles depending on the duties needed. Fraser Bullock, the president and chief executive officer, said Wednesday the group spent a total of $3.9 million to secure the winning bid; when Beijing won the 2022 Games bid over Almaty, Kazakhstan, both bids spend approximately $35 million.

In the bid committee’s last official work before dissolution, Vice Chair Steve Starks introduced a formal motion to thank Bullock and Raney-Norman.

“We wouldn’t be celebrating today without their leadership,” said Starks, the chief executive officer of the Larry H. Miller Company. “They bring credibility, relationships and dedication. They’re the best of Utah.”

Years ahead of the deadline, the bid group secured 21,000 hotel rooms for the 2034 Games and got agreements with all proposed venues for 2034. There is already one potential change; Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith says a renovated Delta Center will host ice hockey, moving short track speedskating and figure skating to the Maverik Center in West Valley City.

“Thank you for what you’re all committed to doing in the next nine years,” said USOPC Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland, who joined via video from Colorado Springs with a Salt Lake 2022 ski bib hanging in the background. “We are all in, we will be wonderful partners and there’s not a group of people, state, city or county or individuals that we’d rather be in this game with than all of you.”

The planned $2.83 billion Games operating budget is almost identical to that of 2002, measured in 2034 dollars. A planned $260 million legacy budget will support long-term community sport programs, including the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation.

“It’s been deeply personal, the work that we’ve done,” Raney-Norman said. “That’s why we have the Winter Games coming back here. That’s why we can use the spirit and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movement to uplift all Utahns. … we’re in our own story book right now and we’re writing our chapters. We’re going onto our next chapter, which is going to be so exciting.”