IOC President Thomas Bach at UOP: “The Olympics are in Utah’s DNA”

IOC President Thomas Bach at the Utah Olympic Park. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach visited Park City’s Utah Olympic Park on Saturday as part of an informal farewell tour, following his announcement before the Paris Games that they would be his last in the role.

One of the names on the short list of people vying to fill the opening position, who could be at the helm of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2034, is the President of the International Ski Federation, Johan Eliasch.

It was Bach’s first trip back to Utah since the 2002 Games and since the IOC announced in July that Salt Lake City will be the host of the 2034 Olympics and Paralympics.

Bach met with a baker’s dozen past, present, and future Olympians and told the gathered media that the highlight of his two-day, five-venue visit to Utah was meeting with the athletes. Executives, employees, and dual-role athlete-employees of the Utah Olympic Park (UOP) had the rare opportunity to speak with and shake hands with Bach during his intimate walk-around. Among those present were three-time Olympian Alan Alborn and two-time Olympian Casey Larson.

Although members of the IOC delegation traveling with Bach conducted official meetings with Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation’s Colin Hilton and Callum Clark regarding the forthcoming formation of a 2034 Organizing Committee, Bach himself simply seemed to be jovially checking up on all the forward-thinking and logistical opportunities the UOP has to offer elite athletes as well as members of the public.

Standing in front of the Spence Eccles Freestyle Pool and Mountain Expansion, Bach, Utah Olympic leader Fraser Bullock, and Utah sports leader Spence Eccles shared a humorous anecdote from the ’90s over the microphone, reminiscing about their past experiences. Early on, the facetios plan for a flame cauldron at the Rice-Eccles Stadium with Mitt Romney was to have “two Hibachi grills hoisted up by a rope pully to hopefully be the flame,” until Eccles stepped in and thankfully provided funding to create the Olympic cauldron, which still stands today.

TownLift asked Bach about his views on the growing, global acceptance of the Paralympic Movement.

“Since the 2002 Games was the first to have the Olympics and Paralympics as one single entity, there have been great successes in the inclusion revolution for athletes with disabilities.” That sentiment was echoed by Gene Sykes, standing next to him, the President of the now named United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).  

While three-time Olympian Hannah Kearney stood next to him, Bach watched athlete Cate McEneany train in the pool. He spoke with Deer Valley athlete Olympian Nick Page and teammate Olympian Cole McDonald, even handing McDonald a heart-shaped pin decorated with colorful Olympic Rings. 

Allan Engen was present representing his late father Alf’s Olympic Museum Foundation.

Afterward, Bach watched snowboarders train on the air bag before seeing skeleton athletes train on the UOP’s most recently opened facility – the push track – led by coach Matt Griff.

The next stop for Bach is Los Angeles to check on the progress of the Summer 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.

The old adage of “don’t meet your heroes” didn’t apply here—Bach exceeded the high expectations of both athletes and administrators, leaving no one disappointed.

Bach says SLC losing thee 2034 Games due to a doping probe is unlikely

During his visit Bach also sought to ease concerns about Salt Lake City losing its bid for the 2034 Olympics if anti-doping agreements aren’t honored. On Saturday, Bach downplayed a termination clause added to Salt Lake City’s host contract in July, which could pull the Games if the U.S. government doesn’t recognize the World Anti-Doping Agency’s authority. Olympic officials also obtained assurances from Utah politicians and U.S. Olympic leaders to pressure the federal government to halt an investigation into a suspected doping coverup.

Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of Salt Lake City’s bid committee, said any tension between regulators and government officials hasn’t affected things locally. His long-standing friendship with Bach and other visiting Olympic leaders was evident as he guided them around the UOP in Park City on Saturday.

“There’s no tension—just excitement about the future of the Games and Utah’s amazing venues and people,” Bullock told the AP. “We are 100%.”

Bach’s other stops on his farewell tour included attending the University of Utah’s homecoming football game against Big 12 opponent Arizona at Rice-Eccles Stadium. He also visited the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, the Grand America hotel and the planned site of the 2034 Athletes Village at the U.