Mitt Romney, who led 2002 Winter Games, looks ahead to 2034 Olympics in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to the Olympics, Mitt Romney has a lot of memories.

Romney was CEO of the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City — a job that launched his public career as governor of Massachusetts, Republican presidential nominee, and now senator from Utah.

“I think the most memorable part of the Olympics for me was the outpouring of willingness of the people of Salt Lake to serve the athletes and to serve the world that came to our city,” Romney told KSL TV in an interview this week.

Romney wasn’t there for the big announcement in Paris Wednesday when the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games. He’s been in Washington, D.C. this week on Senate business. But he wasn’t surprised.

“I’m ultimately going to get to Paris, and we’ll be able to see some of our athletes there and congratulate the team that brought the games to Salt Lake City,” Romney said. “There’s no question after the Games of 2002 that the Games would come back to Salt Lake again.”

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More: Exclusive news, stories and highlights from the Paris Olympics on KSL TV and KSL Sports.

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Romney praised the bid committee, led by his longtime friend Fraser Bullock, who was chief operating officer of the 2002 Games.

“He’s a real expert in the Olympic world, and he really is a person who spearheaded getting the Games back in Salt Lake City,” Romney said.

Strong support for the Games

Polling shows broad support for Utah hosting another Games, although some have criticized them as only for elites.

Asked about that concern, Romney pointed to 2002 and leaders’ desire to have the Games be “something that could be touched by all the people of Utah.”

As an example, Romney pointed to the nightly medals ceremonies and concerts in 2002, which were free.

“People were able to come to events for no charge whatsoever, if they wanted to be there,” he said. “They could touch the Games and be part of them.”

It was, of course, a different time in 2002 — pre-social media and pre-smart phones. A lot has changed — and is still changing.

“China is making a move to become the world’s superpower economically, militarily,” Romney said. [Artificial intelligence] will be an everywhere presence by 2034. I think you’re going to see a changing climate. I don’t know what that’s going to do to our snow conditions in Utah.”

But Romney said one thing will be the same.

“The people of Utah recognize that when they’re called upon to serve and to help other people, they rise to the occasion,” he said.

Romney is not running for re-election to the U.S. Senate. Asked if he will have any professional role in the Salt Lake Games in 2034, Romney said no.

“I’m going to be a little long of tooth by 2034. I’m already 77,” Romney said. “I’m happy to offer my advice, but you know what? Fraser Bullock doesn’t need advice from me.”