French Alps, Salt Lake City land Winter Games

Image: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Pasteur, CC BY-SA 3.0

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded on July 24^th the 2030 Winter Games to the French Alps but under the condition that France gives financial commitments.

‘FRANCE 24’ stated that the above decision was arrived at after the President of France Emmanuel Macron told the IOC members that he would ask France’s next Prime Minister to give a financial “guarantee” for hosting the Games.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a non-Governmental sports organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is the authority responsible for organizing the modern Olympic Games.

The 2030 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXVI Olympic Winter Games and also known as French Alps 2030, is an upcoming international multisport event scheduled to take place around the French Alps Cities from February 8^th-24^th, 2030.

‘FRANCE 24’ further stated that France is the only candidate to host the Games but the funding has been in question because there is no Government in place following inconclusive snap elections.

But Macron told the IOC members in Paris that he would ask the Prime Minister who emerges from the ongoing talks to form a new Government to make a “financial commitment” and also create an Olympic law.

Speaking two days before the opening ceremony of the Paris Summer Olympics, Macron said, “I want to confirm my full commitment and the full commitment of the French nation. I assure you I will ask the next Prime Minister to include not only this guarantee but also an Olympic law in the priorities of the new Government.”

Macron said France wanted to show “the rest of the world that the Winter Games are not just history – and we are proud to be part of it – and part of our future.”

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an international multisport event scheduled to take place from July 26^th-August 11^th, 2024 in Paris, France.
 

2034 Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympic Games are making their way back to the United States!

‘AP’ stated that Salt Lake City, Utah (US) will host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2034, the International Olympic Committee members voted on July 24^th.

Salt Lake City was formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics following a July 24^th vote by the International Olympic Committee in Paris, giving Utah its second Games after hosting in 2002.

The 2034 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXVII Olympic Winter Games and also known as Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, is an upcoming international multisport event scheduled to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, from February 10^th-26^th, 2034.

‘AP’ further stated that about 1,000 sports fans gathered downtown at 3 am local time – 11 am in Paris – to watch the long-anticipated announcement live. Some dressed in ski gear in the Summer heat, while others donned Team USA merchandise and waved flags with the Olympic rings. The crowd erupted in cheers as the Olympic officials made their final decision to return to a City where they said the local enthusiasm was palpable even two decades after it first hosted.

Utah’s capital City was the only candidate for 2034 after the Olympic Committee gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year. Climate change and high operational costs have reduced the number of Cities willing and able to welcome the Winter Games. Utah has capitalized on low interest elsewhere, pitching itself to Olympic officials as an eager repeat host if the Committee eventually adopts a permanent rotation of the Winter Olympic Cities. The Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said the Salt Lake City would be a prime candidate for such a plan.

Darrell Robinson of Herriman, Utah, celebrated with his family in the early hours on July 24^th after his daughter, who was too young to remember Utah’s first Olympics, begged him to join her at the Salt Lake watch party. Robinson also was present when it was announced that the City would host the 2002 Games and he said it was amazing to relive that moment.

The 2002 Games closely followed the September 11^th, 2001 terrorist attacks and provided a unifying atmosphere Robinson said was needed at the time – “Everyone was really united and we were able to invite all these countries and just heal as a global community. That’s something we need again.”

In their final presentation to the Olympic officials, the Utah bid team outlined its plan for one of the most compact layouts in Olympic history with all venues within a one-hour drive of the Athletes Village in the University of Utah campus. The plan requires no new permanent construction with all 13 venues already in place and each having played a role when the City first hosted.

Before the vote, the Olympic officials inserted into Salt Lake City’s host contract a clause that said the local officials must work with the current and future US Presidents and Members of the Congress to alleviate concerns about a US Federal investigation of suspected doping by the Chinese swimmers. The Committee’s unprecedented strong-arm tactics seemed to send a message that the FBI should back away from the case.

The Utah Governor Spencer Cox agreed to the committee’s demands but told reporters after the vote that the shakeup nearly delayed the bid agreement.

For Cox, securing the bid was central to his goal of cementing the State as North America’s Winter sports capital. He and the other local leaders were in Paris for the presentation while many Winter Olympians stayed in town to train and join in the festivities.

American freestyle skier Christopher Lillis, a gold medalist at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, said the 2034 Games will be a dream comes true for young people with Olympic aspirations. He has been training at the nearby Utah Olympic Park and said the sports facilities in the area are “top-notch”.

Kate Cross, the mother of a young girl who described herself as a “future gold medalist skier”, said the Olympics are the ultimate source of inspiration. Cross moved to Utah a few years after the 2002 Games and is excited to attend the Olympic events in person for the first time – possibly as the parent of an athlete.

Concluded Cross, “We’re out here in the middle of the night because she’s too excited to sleep. It’s given her something to strive for, a 10-year plan. As a parent, it’s amazing to see your kid that motivated.”

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

• Tags »
• French Alps
• Salt Lake City

« Previous News: ‘August’ Intuit Dome August opening!
» Next News: Angels-Anaheim City quid pro quo deal