The International Olympic Committee's Future Hosts Committee is scouting Olympic venues in the Beehive State ahead of deciding where to host the 2034 Winter Olympics. On Friday, they toured Snowbasin in Weber County, then headed to the Maverick Center and Utah Olympic Oval in the Salt Lake Valley.
At Snowbasin, the group rode the John Paul Chairlift to the top and watched men and women ski downhill. Committee Chairman Karl Stoth said the steepness of the slope was unusual.
“I think this venue is perfect and it's been well maintained. There's really no need to make any changes,” he said.
Olympic skier Picabo Street escorted the committee around Snowbasin. She recalled her last Olympics emotionally and is excited to have them in Utah again, she said.
Street said the most exciting thing about the possibility of the 2034 Games is allowing Utah's younger generations to see the games up close and carry on the tradition.
“It's really a win-win-win scenario to have an event like this here and for everyone to be a part of it and make memories and have compassion and friendship and sportsmanship. It's a legacy that will be left behind. ” she said.
Later, in the Salt Lake Valley, the group toured the Maverick Center, where a hockey game will be held, and then toured the Utah Olympic Oval, the planned venue for the speed skating event.
Derek Parra, a former Olympic speed skater and the oval's sporting director, said the committee liked the venue but said it would need some renovations before a potential Olympics could be held. Ta.
“We definitely need a new video board, a 20-year-old scoreboard, but it's outdated. So we're going to have to spend some money to support the different technologies that have advanced over the last 20 years.” he said. That costs money. ”
Fraser Bullock, president of the Utah Bid Committee, said he believes Utah has a good chance of winning the 2034 Olympics, although nothing is guaranteed. He said the two biggest advantages are that all the venues are ready and that the committee recognizes Utahns' passion for the Olympics.
“They love to see people's heritage and people's enthusiasm to match the great venue,” Block said.
The prospective host committee will be in Utah until April 13th.
The International Olympic Committee will select the host site for the 2034 Games on July 24, Pioneer's Day.
