Utah Forms Committee To Bid For Olympic Games
Feb 12, 2020, 12:54 PM | Updated: Feb 12, 2023, 6:01 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday announced the formation of a committee in Utah’s bid to bring the Winter Olympic Games back to Salt Lake City.
The committee, which consists of more than two dozen local business owners, leaders, and Olympians, will prepare for the future Olympics and Paralympics bid.
It’s been 18 years since Utah hosted the Winter Olympics. The venues built for the 2002 games have continued to be used and maintained, and they could be used again for future Olympic events, Herbert said.
Having the games back would be a financial boon, too, he added.
“It has significant benefits to our state economically,” he said. “… Over 800 events have been hosted here in the past 20 years on venues and locations which were put together to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. … That’s given us over $2 billion of economic exposure just through media alone.”
Both Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said a majority of Utah residents support bidding for future Olympic games. The plan also has bipartisan support, they said.
