SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 27, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for a visit Friday to Temple Square.
Bach was accompanied by IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi. The group met in the Church Administration Building with President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as emeritus General Authority Elder Donald L. Hallstrom.
“No one will be more supportive of these Olympics than we will,” President Holland said. “We’re thrilled to contribute in any way we can. We want you to feel that there’s no more hospitable place in the United States — or on this planet — than you have here.”
A delegation for the 2034 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City was also present. It was led by Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games. He was joined by committee chair Catherine Raney Norman, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Don Stirling of the Miller Group and 2024 Paris Games silver medalist Kenneth Rooks.
Church leaders presented Bach with a four-generation chart of his ancestors and a leather-bound copy of the Book of Mormon. Bach gave President Holland a set of Olympic rings.
Church leaders emphasized how valuable Utah’s spirit of volunteerism will be for the 2034 Games, just as it was during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. They also noted the added blessing of having former missionaries who speak many languages and become champions of the countries in which they served.
“Thank you for highlighting the volunteers,” Bach said. “This is one of the values we share with your church. It’s about unity. It’s about volunteerism. It’s about one global world. It’s about peace. Therefore, for me it’s no surprise we get along with each other.
