Salt Lake to Host Gay Olympics Again

The 2002 Winter Olympics were a party of such epic proportions that those weeks stand out in nearly every Utahn's mind as one of the well-nigh heady things to hit our fair country since shaped skis and fried scones. Utah'southward proficient citizens revelled in the international spotlight, with an incredible 70,000 people applying for 23,000 volunteer positions. Coveted 2002 Olympic volunteer jackets nonetheless dot the ski slopes of the Wasatch today, showing that the pride still lingers.

Take two: Why would we host again?

With a whopping 89 percent of Utahns in favor of hosting the games again, our state's leaders and legislators have been chasing downwardly the chance to bring the event back for a sequel operation. An Olympic Exploratory Committee was formed and, this fall, all contending cities submitted detailed plans outlining what the games would look similar if they had the opportunity to host.

To the surprise of few (hey, we're proud), the US Olympic Committee agreed that Salt Lake rose to the top, edging out Denver in the contest. What does it mean? That, if a U.S. metropolis is chosen to host the 2030 games, that Salt Lake volition be it.

The chances are favorable, too. With Asian cities hosting back-to-back winter games in Pyeongchang and Beijing, then Europe probable to host in 2026, the U.Due south. would have a strong example for hosting in 2030. Which would bring the excitement full circle, back to Salt Lake Urban center three decades after its starting time circular.

Non only did Table salt Lake, Park Metropolis, and Snowbasin do an excellent job building out the venues to host—including an Olympic-sized ice rink, ski jumping facility, bobsled course, and Nordic Center—but all those facilities have been immaculately maintained and used always since then. The Olympic Oval, Olympic Park, and Soldier Hollow remain pop destinations for local families and visitors to skate, bobsled, ski jump, and nordic ski, whether for recreation or training seriously for big events like the Olympics.

That ways that the main infrastructure's already in place, which saves a whopping amount of cash and logistics. Information technology's good news for games organizers and for the states locals who'd rather skip any unnecessary structure.

While the Olympics were a solid success in 2002, Utah brings even more to the table this fourth dimension. In the early 2000s, we were withal saddled by 1 particularly embarrassing and cumbersome liquor police, which required people to pay for either one-yr or two-week "memberships" to enter any bars, which were then called private clubs. Needless to say, this roadblock required many an explanation and an heart-roll among locals and visitors.

Only, with much help from the gods of fine spirits (and a lot of lobbying from the tourism and hospitality manufacture), those laws are no more than. You can wash down a big 24-hour interval of winter sport-ing with a proper beer like you would anywhere else.

Another major boon: the Common salt Lake International Aerodrome rebuild will be complete in 2020. The expanded facilities will include far more elbow room, more than efficient flow of passengers and planes, a more high-tech experience, ameliorate parking, a TRAX rail station, and vastly improved sustainability—with builders aiming for a LEED Gold certification.

Information technology'south a lot for locals to exist excited about, and if we host the biggest party of 2030, we'll sure be glad to have the extra space for coming and going.

Simply expect: Who pays for it?

In a state that loudly embraces fiscal conservatism, the games' price tag is a fair question. In fact, the cost of hosting is then sky-high that Calgary residents overwhelmingly voted against their city'south plan to bid for the 2026 games.

Would-be organizers for the winter games in Utah say the $1.four billion (yeah, with a "B") cost tag would be covered through selling sponsorships, tickets, and broadcast rights. The simply tax dollars used would be from the federal authorities for security coverage. Backers say this will be possible through reusing 2002'due south venues and dipping into Utah'due south enthusiastic volunteer base.

The 2002 games brought an estimated $6 billion in economic benefits, so it seems a reasonable investment likewise every bit a adept time.

Look, expect—when will nosotros know?

This is the last big question. The Olympic Commission hasn't committed to a timeline for its terminal decision, but it may be a few years out. They've cited the need to give other cities around the world the hazard to put a bid together and compete for the chance.

While we wait, we can feel pretty comfortable with our strong position against other contenders who lack our pre-built bobsled rails and boatload of enthusiasm. With whatever luck, we'll be filling the opening ceremony stadium seats one time again in simply over a decade.

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Source: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/blog/stories/post/is-salt-lake-getting-the-olympics-again/

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