Salt Lake has broad support from Utah legislature and residents to host Winter Games

The U.S. Olympic Committee will support Salt Lake City as the nation’s potential candidate for the 2030 Olympic Games, rejecting Denver’s unusual proposal for a privately funded Games in favor of Utah’s simpler and more popular proposal, the committee announced Friday.

The USOC now will work with Salt Lake City to prepare for the international selection process, which is expected to conclude with the International Olympic Committee session in 2023.

Salt Lake City and Denver were the final two competitors after Reno-Tahoe withdrew from the running this year. Salt Lake City proposed to run the Games for $1.3 billion, a relatively low sum, by reusing facilities from its 2002 Games. The Utah proposal had the unanimous support of the state legislature, and a poll found 83 percent agreement among the state’s residents.

“It was very clear to us when we were there, in what they presented, that Salt Lake City very much understands the practical realities of hosting a Games, but also wants and supports what they represent and are very proud to represent the United States in just that,” said Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the USOC.

“The Colorado bid also faced a potential initiative in Denver that could restrict public spending on the Games if approved by voters”.

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This comes after a committee formed by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock with the blessing of Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) recommended that the Mile High City pursue a bid for the games.

Denver is notorious in Olympic history for being the only city to reject hosting the games. That happened in 1972, and Innsbruck, Austria ultimately hosted the Olympics instead.

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