The Future Hosts Committee is touring Olympic venues in Utah before deciding whether to recommend returning the Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City in 2034. The committee began its multi-county tour at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium.
In 2021, the stadium completed an $80 million renovation that added more than 6,000 seats. Future Olympic Committee President Karl Stoss also liked the addition.
“I've never seen a Winter Olympic stadium like this. I think it's perfect for the opening and closing ceremonies,” he said.
The committee also inspected the Olympic village where athletes will be staying. Christophe Dubi, Director General of the Olympic Games, said nothing could have been more appropriate.
The committee then rode the Utah Department of Transportation intercity train TRAX from U Station to Delta Center. The train had special Olympic wrapping featuring snowboarders, speed skaters, hockey players and ski jumpers with the words “Ready to move the world again.”
Mr. Stoss supported the transit system and its future plans, and thought the commission's free rides were too expensive.
Utah Department of Transportation Executive Director Jay Fox outlined future transportation plans to support the Olympics. He said a new orange line will be built from Salt Lake City International Airport to the University of Utah by 2030. Bus rapid transit lanes and express buses will also be added to the city.
Fox said UTA is also building a second track for Front Runner trains that will provide broader service to areas outside of downtown Salt Lake. For single-track lines, maintenance can only be carried out on Sundays when trains are not running. Additional trucks allow for simultaneous service and repair.
“Just like an air show day, the moment we have Sunday services, our agency is no longer able to be in the field,” Fox said. It's a regional difference. ”
Stoss said he was overall very impressed with what he saw Wednesday. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city for the 2034 Games on July 24, just before the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
