As the state of Utah celebrates its annual Pioneer Day holiday, the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games is marking the second anniversary of its bid award. On July 24, 2024, the International Olympic Committee recognized Utah with the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

On February 10, 2034, a little over seven and a half years from now (2,758 days to be exact), Utah 2034 will welcome more than 90 nations for the Olympic Winter Games. A month later, on March 10, the Paralympic Winter Games will begin.

Two years ago, the scene at the IOC Session in Paris was highly emotional for the bid committee. Meanwhile back home, thousands gathered in Salt Lake City’s Washington Square to watch a live stream from the Palais des Congrès de Paris.

“We appreciated the IOC’s confidence in Utah with the bid award on Pioneer Day two years ago,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “I’m proud to see how our people have rallied years ahead of the Games to bring value to our state and our communities around Utah 2034.”

While Winter Games hosts have historically been elected six and a half years out, Utah had the opportunity to get the nod nearly a decade in advance. The Organizing Committee, formed on February 14, 2025, has taken advantage of that opportunity to get a head start not only on planning the Games, but also on implementing impact programs that will benefit sport, communities, and the Games in 2034.

Some of the milestones to date have included:

• The September 2025 launch of Podium34 showcased the passion of Utah philanthropic families for the Games and their communities. The program has raised $250 million in commitments towards a $300 million goal.
• Publication of the Utah 2034 Games Plan V1, unveiled on Olympic Day, June 23, 2026. The initial plan outlines a framework of work leading up to the Games.
• Taking a sustainable approach in utilizing existing venues, the Organizing Committee has a venue plan in place with every site within an hour of the Olympic and Paralympic Village at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
• In addition to launching its Organizing Committee Board in February, 2025, a Steering Committee was empaneled, along with advisory committees which are actively engaged in providing expertise in specialty areas.
• Last February and March, Utah 2034 led a delegation of Utah observers to Milano-Cortina to give state, community, and venue leaders an opportunity to see the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games from behind the scenes, providing valuable lessons.
• In November 2025, the Organizing Committee embraced the entire state with its transition to Utah 2034.
• This fall, community impact programs will be introduced, including initiatives to support youth sport and to bring Olympic and Paralympic values education to classrooms.

“We were bursting with pride two years ago in Paris,” said Fraser Bullock, now president and executive chair. “Our athletes, Lindsey Vonn and Dani Arivich, helped tell a remarkable story to the IOC that day. Now it’s our job to bring it to fruition here in Utah.”

Bullock cited three keys to the Organizing Committee’s early success: the generosity of Utah donors to support the Games early, building a strong foundational team of experienced leaders mixed with eager young talent, and the strength of relationships with stakeholders.

He also pointed to the work being done between the Organizing Committee, the IOC, and the American technology community in breaking down barriers and beginning development of a more impactful and efficient technology plan.

With seven and a half years to go, the Utah 2034 team remains lean with 12 employees, plus specialty contractors and volunteers. Its primary work now is focused on initial revenue production to support the early years of the Organizing Committee, as well as developing community impact programs.

“Today, we enjoy the great advantage of having proven venues already in place, so we can focus our time on initial revenue production and looking for ways we can bring positive impact to sport and our communities,” said CEO Brad Wilson.

Wilson and his team are presently engaged in the first planning horizon as outlined in the Games Plan V1 the Organizing Committee released in June. That plan is centered around the Utah 2034 Vision to:

• Elevate Our Communities
• Elevate Sport
• Elevate the Games Experience

Utah 2034 is presently in Strategic Horizon One in its games lifecycle, a period that extends to 2030 and is focused on establishing the organizational, financial, partnership, and planning foundations needed to move Utah 2034 from an early transition to confident, integrated Games Planning beginning in 2030.

Wilson called out the Podium34 program launched 10 months ago as a key to financial support for the Games, but also for providing a platform for community impact.

“Utah’s philanthropic families really stood up for their state and the causes that they see as vital to communities,” added Wilson. “That has enabled us now to begin focusing on the benefits of the Games for our communities over seven years out. That impact today will later lead to our post-Games legacy.”

The 2034 Olympic Winter Games are set for February 10-26, 2034, with the Paralympics March 10-19.