Utah started its bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics almost two decades ago. Over those years, all types of national and international dignitaries have visited the state in the name of the Games.
This week, though? This week it’s the big one.
Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, is scheduled to be in Salt Lake City next weekend. The official visit comes roughly two months after the IOC general assembly, despite voicing some displeasure with the United States, voted 83-6 to award the 2034 Olympics to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games.
It will be Bach’s first visit since 2002, when he was vice president of the IOC.
Bach will be in town Friday and Saturday, according to a news release, and SLC-UT spokesperson Tom Kelly said the IOC official plans to take in the University of Utah’s homecoming football game against Big 12 opponent Arizona at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Kickoff for that game is set for 8:15 p.m.
Other stops on Bach’s itinerary include Utah Olympic Park near Park City, the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, the Grand America hotel and the planned site of the 2034 Athletes Village at the U. While on tour, Bach plans to meet with bid leaders, local officials, athletes and, according to a press statement, “Games supporters.”
SLC-UT President and CEO Fraser Bullock said in a statement that the IOC president’s visit is an honor.
He added that he is looking forward to Bach experiencing “firsthand our culture of Olympism, the preparedness of our venues, the enthusiasm of our communities for sport, and the deep roster of Olympic and Paralympic athletes who call Utah their home.”
Salt Lake City will likely be one of the final host sites selected under Bach, who has said he will step down as IOC president next summer. Utah’s bid was put under unexpected scrutiny when it was presented before the IOC general assembly in Paris this summer because of the U.S.’s independent investigation of doping by Chinese swimmers. Several members made it clear they did not appreciate the country circumventing the World Anti-Doping Association but ultimately approved the bid.
While in the United States, Bach also is scheduled to attend the United Nations general assembly sessions in New York City. Also on his docket are a visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., and a trip to Los Angeles to meet with 2028 Summer Games organizers.
