SALT LAKE CITY — Utah officials announced the formation of an exploratory committee to consider whether the state should pursue a bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Gov. Gary Herbert made the announcement Wednesday — the 10th anniversary of the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
“Ten years ago, Utah ‘Lit the Fire Within,’ and today that flame still burns bright,” Herbert said.
Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will co-chair the 13-member committee, which includes Olympic gold medal speedskater Eric Heiden, now an orthopedic surgeon practicing sports medicine in Park City, Utah.
The committee is expected to present a report on its conclusions by May, according to a timetable of deadlines provided by the governor’s office. If the recommendation is to pursue the Games, a bid committee would be formed to present a report to the U.S. Olympic Committee in the fall.
It’s not clear what chance Utah might have to host another Winter Games. At least two other states — Colorado and Nevada — have expressed interest in the 2022 event. Any locale would need the backing of the Colorado Springs-based USOC, which partners with committees to secure the right to host the Olympics from the International Olympic Committee.
The Associated Press
