Park City delegates head to Paris to seal the deal for hosting 2034 Olympic Games

Fraser Bullock, SLC-UT 2034 President and CEO announces the delegation that will travel to Paris in July. Photo: Michele Roepke // TownLift

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Two weeks from now, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee will arrive in Paris, France, to give its presentation to the International Olympic Committee. Shortly after the presentation is made, the IOC will vote, which will mark the official moment when Salt Lake City will be awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the committee announced its delegation team and highlighted the vision it would present to the full IOC membership on July 24.

The seven-member presentation team will include Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City and Park City mayors Erin Mendenhall and Nann Worel, Olympic and Paralympic stars, and SLC-UT 2034 and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee leaders.

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“This is a remarkable team that recognizes the preparedness we bring in our quest to return the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Utah,” said SLC-UT 2034 President and CEO Fraser Bullock.

Olympic alpine skiing champion, Lindsey Vonn, along with Paralympian Dani Aravich, a world champion Para nordic skier, will be part of the delegation and will be giving presentations to the IOC.

Three local youth athletes will also be part of the delegation, to amplify its principle of sport as a key community catalyst. That group includes luge athlete Orson Colby of Riverton, Utah; speed skater Emma De Bock from Farmington, Utah; and figure skater Kate Pressgrove of Heber City, Utah.

Pressgrove got her start in a Youth Sports Alliance program in Park City and trains with Park City Figure Skating. Colby trains with the Wasatch Luge Club at the Utah Olympic Park. De Bock is a figure skater turned speed skater, coming out of 2002 gold medalist Derek Parra’s program at the Utah Olympic Oval.

Orson Colby of Riverton, a luge athlete, will be part of the delegation that travels to Paris in July with Park City’s Youth Sports Alliance. Photo: Michele Roepke // TownLift

“Park City sports culture is so supportive, fun, and knowledgable on a year-round basis. The people who work so hard to make sure athletes like me get the international opportunities like going to Paris on this upcoming trip are the best, it’s like a second home up there,” young luger Colby told TownLift.

Now that they have their driver’s licenses, Colby and Pressgrove spend considerable time at their respective Park City training facilities, the Utah Olympic Park and the Park City Ice Arena. Both are excited to travel with the Youth Sports Alliance to Paris and credit the Park City nonprofit with their successes.

From the stage, Executive Director Emily Fisher gave them some sage advice: “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the next level of competition will make you a real athlete. You’re there now, you’ve made it now, we’re proud of you, enjoy this moment.” They both smiled big in acknowledgment.

At the core of the presentation that will be given in France is a vision of elevating sport, communities, and the Games experience. The presentation will showcase a Games Master Plan, which will include one athlete village and all venues located within one hour of downtown Salt Lake City.

Kate Pressgrove of Heber City, YSA, and the Figure Skating Club of Park City. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

As chief of athlete experience for SLC-UT 2034, Vonn will highlight an athlete-centric plan that includes an initiative to create a family village to better support athletes’ families. Vonn resides in Utah and made her Olympic debut there in 2002. Aravich, who has competed in both summer and winter Paralympics, will tell the story of how Utah sport leaders and programs provide her with the pathway to achieve her dreams.

Utah’s vibrant economy and diverse culture will be key topics for Governor Spencer Cox. Mayor Mendenhall will discuss the vibrancy that sport brings to communities. They will also highlight a focus on sustainability across all venue communities and the state of Utah.

Kaysha Love, native Utahn and Olympic bobsledder whose home track is at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. — Kaysha Love is a native Utahn and Olympic bobsledder whose home track is at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Photo: Michele Roepke // TownLift

Catherine Raney Norman, SLC-UT 2034 Board Chair, will speak to the role Utah’s living legacy has played for over two decades, both with athletes and communities that are drawn closer together through sport. Vonn and Aravich are among a group of 10 Utah-connected athletes who will be at the IOC Session, including speed skating gold medalist Erin Jackson and 13-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell, both of whom make Utah their home.

The SLC-UT 2034 bid presentation to the entire IOC Session is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on July 24, following the 2030 pitch from the French Alps. It will be a 30-minute presentation followed by questions from the IOC membership.

Olympic speedskater Erin Jackson who lives in Salt Lake City and trains at the Utah Olympic Oval. — Olympic speedskater Erin Jackson lives in Salt Lake City and trains at the Utah Olympic Oval. Photo: Michele Roepke // TownLift

Following presentations by the French Alps for 2030 and Salt Lake City-Utah, the IOC will hold the elections around 12:00 p.m. in Paris at the 142nd IOC Session. A CELEBRATE 2034 watch party and celebration is planned in downtown Salt Lake City’s Washington Square, with live coverage from Paris starting at 3:00 a.m. MDT.

Michele Roepke contributed to this story.

SLC-UT 2034 DELEGATION

Presentation Team

Utah Governor Spencer Cox

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall

Gene Sykes, President, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee

Fraser Bullock, President & CEO, SLC-UT 2034

Catherine Raney Norman, SLC-UT 2034 Board Chair, SLC-UT 2034

Lindsey Vonn, Olympic Champion, Park City

Dani Aravich, Paralympian, Salt Lake City

Elected Officials

Stuart Adams, President, Utah Senate