PARIS — Hours away from the International Olympic Committee’s decision as to whether Utah will host the 2034 Olympic Games, delegates to Paris are cautiously ready to pop the champagne.
CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games Fraser Bullock said he feels calm and “so optimistic.”
“Because all the pieces are in place. We have a fantastic bid,” said Bullock, who attended a Tuesday reception for the Utah delegation in Paris at the Hôtel de Talleyrand, hosted by U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Campbell Bauer.
“I’m looking forward to showcasing Utah and our bid to the world,” Bullock said. “Because we have so much to offer. It’s so powerful that, whether it’s our beautiful mountains or fantastic people, we get to show that and share that tomorrow. And I’m so excited about that.”
He also realizes it’s never over until it’s over.
“Something can always happen,” Bullock said. “We’re looking really, really good. We think we know what the Christmas present is. But we just have to wait until Christmas morning to unwrap it and make sure it’s what it is.”
President and CEO of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation Colin Hilton, who was also at the reception, said it’s been a long journey.
“For some of us, it’s been more than 10 years trying to position to have this happen,” Hilton said. We obviously feel pretty confident that things are going to go our way tomorrow. … Obviously it’s a milestone to actually have it happen.”
It was hard work, not luck, that brought them to this moment, Hilton said.
“It started with a vision of how we put on the ’02 Games,” Hilton said, “but more importantly, how we would maintain the facilities and keep the enthusiasm going. And I would say, for just over 20 years now, 22 years, we have … made a great case for why the Games are returning.”
Venue maintenance is also a big factor for the potential return of the Games, Hilton said.
“We’re busier today in their use than it was right after ’02, and that’s also very unique in the world,” Hilton said. “We have over 30 countries that come and train and compete at our legacy venues every year. And so for a lot of us, this is a continuation of a vision and the efforts that a lot of people early on had an idea to do.”
John Garff, Ken Garff CEO, also attended the reception and reflected on the legacy of his father Robert Garff, who was the chairman of the Salt Lake Olympics in 2002.
“He would be really proud,” John said, “and very, very happy and celebrate with us and celebrate with all of Utah. … Any time we do things where we come together and do things for a greater good, we’re all better for it.”