Olympic Cauldron lit in celebration of SLC becoming ‘preferred partner’ for 2034 games

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Olympic Cauldron in Salt Lake City was lit Friday night in celebration of Utah’s capital being chosen as a “preferred partner” for the 2034 winter games.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall were in attendance as the flames rose above Rice-Eccles Stadium.

“Even though tonight we’re celebrating a major milestone…what we’re really celebrating is an invitation to every Utahn to involve yourself and invest your families in this fulfillment we will reach in 10 years,” Mendenhall said.

Salt Lake City chosen as ‘preferred partner’ for 2034 Winter Games

The mayor noted that Salt Lake City is in pole position for the 2034 games because of its existing infrastructure from the 2002 games. Instead of having to build infrastructure, the city can instead focus on building a community ready to host the world.

“We are strong, we’re tenacious, we’re caring,” she said. “We’re innovative, we’re loving, and we like to have a good time in the snow.”

Surrounding the mayor and governor were local and national Olympic officials. They showcased a delegation of medal-winning Utahns, current top winter sport athletes, and the young stars who will hope to compete a decade from now.

The crowd, athletes and officials cheered as the cauldron was lit and snow fell over Rice-Eccles Stadium.

What prompted the celebration happened Wednesday, when the the International Olympic Committee tapped Salt Lake City to be its “preferred partner” for the 2034 games, all but confirming the Olympics will be returning to Utah.

While the official decision won’t come for another six months, Salt Lake City is the only location that Olympic officials are currently speaking with in connection to the 2034 games.

Ahead of the cauldron lighting, officials signed the paperwork accepting to be in “targeted discussions” with the International Olympic Committee.

Sarah Hershlin, president and CEO of U.S. Olympic Committee, spoke at the signing about how excited she and her colleagues are to again invite the world’s top athletes to Salt Lake City.

“We are grateful, we’re excited, we’re overwhelmed,” she said. “There is no community that is better suited to do this than this one. We see it. The IOC sees it. The world knows it.”

Her voice trembled with emotion as she described what getting the games means for America in the coming decade, as it will mark a new age with the U.S. being at the center of the sporting world.

After next year’s games in Paris, the torch for the summer contest will go to Los Angeles in 2028. Then after six years, the torch will return to Salt Lake City.

This timeframe gives the U.S., Hershlin said, “the opportunity to lead in a way that we haven’t led before.”

Derek Parra, the speed skater who won a gold in the 2002 Winter Olympics, was among the athletes who stood at the lighting ceremony, and he currently trains young hopefuls at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns.

He told ABC4 earlier this week that Salt Lake City is the perfect winter games location as its venues are so close to the mountains. The geography makes everything easier for athletes, spectators and volunteers.

Parra added that having the games return to Utah motivates the state’s young hopefuls.

“When I think about the kids, their families, I feel like it’s lighting a fire within them, allowing them to dream big for an Olympics in their own state,” he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.