The International Olympics Committee, meeting in Mombai, India, has authorized a dual award for 2030 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach announced early Friday morning.
“The IOC Executive Board decision to pursue a dual award is yet another boost to our Salt Lake City-Utah ambition to host the Games in 2030 or 2034, and it provides all Interested parties with a more succinct timeline,” said SLC-UT President and CEO Fraser Bullock. “We now have a robust lineup of cities and regions interested in hosting the Games in 2030 or beyond, which is a valuable signal for winter sport. Our Games concept meets the IOC’s sustainability goals of staging climate-reliable Games in all existing, world-class venues. We welcome today’s decision which will aid us in carrying forward the strong public enthusiasm for the Games here in Utah.”
A recommendation could then be acted on by the IOC Executive Board, which meets Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. A decision on both 2030 and 2034 could then be taken at the IOC Session next July prior to the Paris Games, according to Salt Lake bid organizers.
The recommendation was made by the Future Host Commission and subsequently approved by the Executive Board in advance of the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai where the commission will present further details to IOC Members.Bach indicated that if all necessary requirements could be met, an election for the 2030 and 2034 Games could be held at the IOC Session in 2024.
In addition, the IOC has asked the Future Host Commission to recommend potential Preferred Hosts for 2030 and 2034, who could be invited into Targeted Dialogue, with a timeline of late-October or November for a recommendation to the Executive Board. The Executive Board could act on those recommendations at the next IOC Executive Board meeting set for Nov. 30-Dec. 1.
The opportunity for a double allocation, along with the critical challenges faced by winter sport and the winter Games in light of climate change will be discussed further during the IOC Session this weekend, officials said.
This report will be updated.