SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 14, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The United States Olympic Committee has selected Salt Lake City as its candidate for a Winter Olympics and Paralympics bid for America.
Salt Lake City beat out Denver in the competition.
Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Utah Governor Gary Herbert, and others involved in the Olympic campaign let out a group cheer before confirming the news at a news conference at City Hall just after 4:30 p.m. Friday.
“We won,” Biskupski said. “The USOC just called me and let it be know that they have chosen Salt Lake for a potential Winter Olympic and Paralympics bed for the United States of America. We are so grateful for that.”
Herbert spoke next.
“This has been the culmination of a significant team effort,” he said. “The people of Utah wanted us to be able to do this again. We have the venues and a great location conveniently accessed from around the world. We have the experience and the know how.”
The year of the bid has not yet been determined, Biskupski said.
Others on hand explained that lots of work goes into preparing a bid, a process that can take two years or more. Venues contracts must be signed, and money must be raised. A theme must be determined.
Biskupski also said the bid campaign will also give Utah the opportunity to create sustainable games, using “green” fuels for transportation and other needs. She also talked briefly about the opportunity to use new venues, perhaps adding an ice sheet to the Rio Tinto Stadium to create an outdoor hockey venue, for example.
Being confirmed by the USOC after a recent visit is one of numerous steps in the overall process, Herbert said.
“This journey is not just one step today, it’s many steps tomorrow.”
