Joyous cries reverberated through Washington Square under a twilight sky early Wednesday as Utahns celebrated the return of the Winter Olympics.
Neither veteran participants, aspiring athletes nor winter sport newcomers were immune from the anticipation as around 2,000 people gathered outside the Salt Lake City and County Building to witness the official announcement. The festive, communal atmosphere was reminiscent of two decades ago, when a diverse crowd came to the Wasatch Back to experience the thrill of the Games.
Despite the early hour, only a few attendees were wearing their jammies. Most were adorned in red, white and blue or Team USA apparel, while others showed off their vintage pins and iconic Roots Berets from the 2002 Games.
“The whole world came to our little place,” said Taylorsville resident Angela Rotzler.
She worked the event back then, assigned to the parking division. Rotzler would use her free time to watch the competitions, favoring hockey and curling. She still remembers being enveloped by unique languages, cultures and people.
Awarding Salt Lake City-Utah the 2034 Winter Olympics gives Rotzler’s 12-year-old son, Andreas, the chance to be exposed to a similar environment.
Kim Brunisholz has similar hopes for her 11-year-old daughter, a speed skater coached by Olympian Derek Para who has ambitions of competing in her hometown.
The Salt Lake City resident said she’s lived with the spirit of the Games since she was a kid. She’s attended two Olympics and volunteered during the 2002 competition while in college. Now, she tries to advocate for youth athletes.
Brunisholz said residents are lucky and blessed to live in a state that values and invests in winter sports legacy. Not only are the Olympics fun to be a part of, but the Games instill community pride, civic engagement and cultural exchange.
“The same energy is there. Maybe more,” she said.
Utahns stood in the park for over two hours to watch the official gathering, Celebrate 2034, unfold.
The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games — including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Olympic alpine skier Lindsey Vonn — made their final pitch to the International Olympic Committee at 11 a.m. in Paris, or 3 a.m. local time.
Several members of the IOC praised the presentation, saying they’re convinced Utah will deliver an excellent Winter Olympics. The crowd cheered at almost every mention of the Games’ return to the state.
The Salt Lake delegation anxiously grasped each other as they waited for the vote, euphoric to hear the news: The Winter Olympics are coming home.