Today, Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, and other members of the Salt Lake Olympic Exploratory Committee will travel to Colorado Springs to attend the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly (USOC). The annual meeting was established in 2005 to give voice to various member organizations of the USOC, to keep dialogue open between members, staff and volunteer leadership.
Salt Lake City is currently pursuing a bid to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2026 or 2030, following the successful 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake. A report released in February by the Salt Lake Olympic Exploratory Committee, indicated it would cost approximately $1.3 billion to host another Winter Olympics in Salt Lake, less than the cost of the 2002 Games. The report highlighted the good condition of Salt Lake’s venues and strong support of the community, a January poll showed 83% of respondents as strongly or somewhat in support of another Games.
While in Colorado Springs, the Mayor and Senate President will attend the USOC Leadership Address and Town Hall and meet with members of the USOC and others involved in the Olympic movement. In July, the USOC named Sarah Hirshland as its new CEO.
“It is important Salt Lake City continue to maintain a strong bond with the U.S. Olympic family, which we are a critical part, as well as build new relationships,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “We are also hoping to glean some more information on the 2026/2030 bid process to ensure it is clear that Salt Lake City is ‘ready, willing, and able’ to host another Games.”
“The results of the report are clear, Utah is ready to again host the Winter Olympics,” said Senate President Wayne Niederhauser. “Utahns are excited by the potential to host and we remain active in the bid process.”
The USOC has until March 31stto decide if it will submit a candidate city for the 2026 Winter Games to the International Olympic Committee. Los Angeles has already been selected to host the 2028 Summer Games, and members of Salt Lake’s Exploratory Committee have made it clear that the priority is to ensure the Los Angeles Games are a success.
More information on the USOC Assembly can be found here: https://www.teamusa.org/assembly
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