Officials say Salt Lake City bid won’t be affected by Japan’s paused bid
Dec 29, 2022, 4:00 PM
The Olympic rings and cauldron from the 2002 Winter Games are pictured at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. Now that SLC is officially hosting the 2034 Winter Olympic games, those who made it possible are taking a step back to celebrate. (Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City’s chief Olympic rival, Sapporo, Japan is taking a break in their bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics. Officials involved in Salt Lake City’s bid said Japan’s move does not affect Utah’s strategy.
The pause comes in the wake of Japan’s growing Olympic bribery scandal.
But this update doesn’t mean Japan is out of the running for hosting the Winter Games.
Some may remember that Sapporo was the first Asian City to host the games in 1972, so there is some pride and history attached to their bid.
CEO of the Salt Lake City Winter Games Committee Fraiser Bullock said this won’t change anything for Utah’s bid.
“What happens in an Olympic bid scenario is it’s very fluid. Things to slow down with bid cities and others to accelerate. Our strategy is just, put our heads down and put the best bid forward.”
The final call on the next hosting city is supposed to be made next fall but is unlikely to come until 2024.
The IOC said this comes down to the need to assess the effects of climate change on the winter games.
Related: Utahns agree: Bring the Olympics (and world) back to Utah
