French Alps 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic delegation visits Utah
Jan 9, 2025, 8:24 PM | Updated: 10:06 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – A delegation from the 2030 French Alps Olympic Games is visiting Utah in the upcoming days to gain insight into hosting a successful Games.
In 2002, Utah hosted the Winter Games, and the State’s venues have continued to operate and generate revenue. In addition, Utah showed the world how to host events in multiple cities and get each of those communities involved.
The delegation is made up of government officials, including Fabrice Pannekoucke, the President of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which is one of two regions that will host the 2030 Games.
Speaking in French and using a translator, Pannekoucke told KSL TV he wanted to know more about how Utah made venues easily accessible with transportation that spanned from Park City to Kearns. He was also interested in the State’s ability to successfully promote the Games.
“I think it’s important to talk about how we get people from the bottom up to the top of the mountains, and how we can improve access to visitors amongst the different event sites,” Pannekoucke said. “And how we can make sure the games are a big celebration.”
Over the next two days, the delegation will visit the Olympic Park in Park City, and ski at Deer Valley.
The delegates also plan to visit the Olympic Oval in Kearns and attend a Jazz game at the Delta Center while visiting Utah from Jan. 9 through Jan. 11.
Fraser Bullock, the president and CEO of Salt Lake City’s committee for the 2034 Games, said this was a great opportunity to collaborate and share strategies with this delegation. He told KSL TV the two groups have become good friends and partners, and he hopes the delegates will be successful.
“We’re so excited for their visit,” Bullock said. “They’re meeting with the Lt. Gov. Mayor Mendenhall. They’re meeting with our team to talk about strategies together. But then they’re going to see our beautiful mountains.”
The French delegation said 95% of their venues from hosting the 1992 Games are still operational, which will help them get ready with a shorter timetable.
The delegation said ice rinks in Nice still have to be built, which is why they were eager to visit Utah’s Olympic Oval.
