France and USA Tapped for Winter Olympics 2030 and 2034

France and the USA, recommended by the International Olympic Committee’s executive board, will host the Winter Olympics in 2030 and 2034, respectively. The Olympic body will vote to approve these bids at its session in Paris on July 24. For the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the French Alps have proposed, while Salt Lake City in Utah will host the 2034 edition. Karl Stoss, who heads the IOC’s future host commission, expressed confidence in these selections, stating, “The future host commission believes that these two preferred hosts offer a great opportunity for successful and sustainable Olympic Winter Games.”

France bid, covering the regions of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur, needs to finalize certain assurances before next month’s vote due to the country’s current political uncertainty. Following President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of snap parliamentary elections, the IOC has requested a “Games delivery guarantee” from the French government. Additionally, the IOC has asked for “confirmation of a public partnership contribution to the Games organization budget from the two regions of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur and the French government.”

Stoss added, “We are very confident that both guarantees will be provided well before the IOC session.” Salt Lake City had initially planned to bid for the 2030 Games but withdrew due to concerns that the timing was too close to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. If successful, this would mark the fifth time the USA has hosted the Winter Olympics and the second time Salt Lake City has hosted, having previously done so in 2002.