17 February 2025 - A few days after the nine-years-to-go milestone and just over six months since the election of Salt Lake City-Utah as the host of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2034, a major landmark in preparations has been reached. On Friday 14 February, the formation of the Organising Committee was announced at the Utah State Capitol by Utah Governor Spencer Cox and US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) CEO Sarah Hirshland.
During the announcement, Cox and Hirshland also unveiled the leadership team that will drive the delivery of the Games in 2034.
Fraser Bullock, a veteran of the Olympic Movement and former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the highly successful Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002, has been appointed Executive Chair and President. Brad Wilson, a respected business leader and former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, will serve as Chief Executive Officer. Wilson and Utah business executive Steve Starks, a former president of the Utah Jazz NBA team who served as a liaison to Governor Cox on the 2034 candidature committee, will serve as Vice-Chairs.
We congratulate Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 on the establishment of their Organising Committee and welcome the appointments of Fraser Bullock and Brad Wilson.
Thomas Bach, IOC President
He continued: “We are looking forward to continuing our close cooperation with Fraser Bullock and his team. He has a proven track record and achievements as a sports administrator and leader. His vast experience and keen involvement in the project bode well for the new Organising Committee. The collective experience of Messrs Bullock and Wilson will allow them to make an immediate impact on preparations for the 2034 Games and provide proper guidance to the newly formed team. We wish them great success in their new roles.”
Governor Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall were named Honorary Chairs of the Organising Committee, with Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and Speaker of the House Mike Schultz serving as Honorary Vice-Chairs.
“Strong leadership is vital for a successful 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and an enduring legacy for Utah,” said Governor Cox. “Fraser Bullock brings a great depth of Olympic experience as our Executive Chair and President. Brad Wilson has proven over many years to be a talented and prudent leader, and we look to his guidance as CEO.”
“The Organising Committee will bring expertise, wisdom and passion to the 2034 Winter Games in Utah, as well as the legacy that will precede and follow the Games,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “We have a great opportunity to showcase Olympic and Paralympic sport across America with Los Angeles in 2028 and Salt Lake City-Utah in 2034.”
The Executive Committee includes Bullock, Hirshland, Starks and USOPC President Gene Sykes, alongside Olympic champion and Utah resident Lindsey Vonn and Team USA bobsledder Chris Kinney. In addition, four-time Olympic speedskater Catherine Raney Norman, who served as candidature committee Chair, will lead the Organising Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.
A diverse 25-member Organising Committee Board has been assembled, comprising leaders from sport, business and the community, with strong representation from Olympians and Paralympians. Among them are Olympic and Paralympic champions including Sara Hughes, Alysson Felix, Oksana Masters and Vonn. The Board also includes members from the USOPC, IOC Members in the United States, and representation from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), ensuring a strong connection to the wider Olympic and Paralympic Movements.
Reflecting on the legacy of the Salt Lake City 2002 Games, newly appointed Organising Committee President Bullock emphasised the opportunity to build on past successes. “Our 2002 Games left a rich legacy in our state and set an example across the world on how the Olympic and Paralympic Games can enrich communities for years to come.
“With all competition venues already identified and in place, the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Organising Committee will use the next nine years to focus on community engagement and legacy initiatives.”
Additional committees, including a steering committee to drive broad community and sporting engagement, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Organising Committee will work closely with the IOC, IPC and USOPC in the coming years to ensure the successful delivery of the Games in 2034.
Salt Lake City 2002: from adversity to success
The Olympic Winter Games Salt Lake City 2002 were delivered successfully and served as a springboard for growing winter sport and bringing more major sporting events to the state of Utah, despite taking place following a set of unique and challenging circumstances, including terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, an economic recession and a crisis related to the Olympic host election process, which led to a major reform of the process.
