In December, the United States Olympic Committee selected Salt Lake City to bid on a future Olympic Winter Games, most likely in 2030. Salt Lake City beat out other winter sports destinations in the United States, including Denver, when the decision was announced.
Park City played an enormous role in the 2002 Salt Lake City games and will certainly be a deciding factor when the International Olympic Committee selects the host city. Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, and the Utah Olympic Park are all expected to be pitched as major venues for the games. Park City’s mayor, Andy Beerman, is a member of the Utah Olympic Exploratory Committee and has represented Park City in Utah’s efforts to bring the games back to the state. Beerman says of Park City, “I think the Olympics align well with our community spirit and our community values.”
The next step for Beerman and other Park City leaders is a community-wide conversation about the bid and the precise role Park City could play. The mayor believes there will be some push back from residents, but seems genuinely excited at the prospect of bringing the international community together once again, while showcasing Park City’s world class resorts and amenities.
Colin Hilton, CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, believes Salt Lake City and the outlaying areas have the potential to host the games at a realistic cost and the ability to “put the focus on athletes, where it should be.” As a former member of the 2002 Olympic organizing committee in Salt Lake City, Hilton adds, “We can showcase very well the desired goals of the International Olympic Committee.”