As Summit County looks ahead to being part of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The next decade will demand decisions that not only address our immediate challenges but serve as a rallying point to forward community priorities. Reflecting on my experience in Atlanta during its preparation for the 1996 Summer Games, I saw first hand how a city can harness the Olympics as a catalyst for transformative change.
When awarded the Summer Games In 1990, Atlanta was facing significant challenges. Public housing projects, like Techwood Homes, had become stigmatized and perpetuated cycles of poverty. Downtown Atlanta had deteriorated, with businesses moving to the suburbs and leaving the city center blighted. Traffic congestion was worsening, and the fledgling MARTA transportation system lacked the investment needed to adequately serve the growing community.
Enter Mayor Andy Young, who returned to his hometown after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and as ambassador to the United Nations during the Carter administration. His vision was to use the Olympics as a rallying point to revitalize Atlanta.
Mayor Young knew that while the Olympics wouldn’t solve all the city’s problems, it could accelerate the changes he envisioned. He worked closely with city leaders and major corporations like Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta, and Turner Broadcasting to develop a bold plan to revitalize housing, improve transportation, and enhance the overall quality of life for Atlanta’s diverse population.
The result was nothing short of transformative. The Olympics provided the momentum needed to close Techwood Homes, dispersing residents throughout the community and breaking the cycle of concentrated poverty. The Olympic Village became much-needed student housing for Georgia Tech and Georgia State University.
Downtown Atlanta was revitalized with the creation of Centennial Olympic Park, and new attractions like the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium followed. The state-of-the-art aquatic center built for the games remains one of the premier venues for collegiate swimming. MARTA received the necessary funding to expand its rail service, which has continued to serve the community ever since.
I worked with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as a vendor during this six-year journey and witnessed how the vision of a city in need of change used the Olympics as a rallying point to achieve its priorities while preparing to take the world stage. Athens, Greece, learned a similar lesson when the 2004 Olympics spurred a dramatic overhaul of transportation infrastructure, airport upgrades, and downtown revitalization.
The parallels to Summit County today are striking. Like Atlanta, we face challenges that demand bold action: limiting growth, preserving our environment, addressing housing needs, and improving transportation. The return of the Olympics offers us a similar rallying point — a chance to unite local government, businesses and community members around a shared vision for our future.
But this opportunity will not fulfill itself. It requires proactive leadership, clear priorities, and strong partnerships. We must ask ourselves: How can we ensure that the benefits of the 2034 Olympics extend far beyond the event itself? What legacy do we want to leave for future generations in Summit County?
Our community’s future depends on decisions made today. We should build on the success and legacy left behind by the 2002 Winter Olympics and think about how to use this global event as a lever to address the issues that matter most to our residents. Be it creating sustainable housing solutions, investing in infrastructure, or preserving the natural beauty that makes Summit County unique.
We have a unique chance to shape our community’s future. By setting ambitious yet achievable goals, we can use the Olympics as a springboard to solve longstanding issues. This is our moment to invest in sustainable development, enhance public infrastructure, and create a vibrant, inclusive community that reflects the best of Summit County.
Ari Ioannides is a Republican candidate for the Summit County Council, running for Seat C vs. Democrat Megan McKenna.