The International Olympic Committee has designated Salt Lake City in the United States as the host city for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, a decision shared on the IOC’s page on the X platform. Salt Lake City earns the honor after a cycle of planning discussions, with city officials outlining venues, logistics, and community programs that aim to showcase winter sport across multiple disciplines. The announcement signals a new chapter for the region, building on previous Olympic history and inviting athletes, fans, and volunteers to participate in a refined Olympic experience that emphasizes accessibility, sustainability, and the spirit of global competition.
Salt Lake City previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002, an event that left a lasting legacy of infrastructure and winter sport culture in the area. Separately, the United States has another major Olympic milestone on the horizon, as Los Angeles is slated to welcome the Summer Games in 2028. This pairing underscores the country’s ongoing commitment to hosting high‑profile international competitions that engage front‑line communities as well as a broad audience around the world.
The 2030 Winter Games are planned to take place in the French Alps, a region known for its challenging terrain, diverse venues, and enthusiastic winter sport fans. The alpine setting is expected to provide a dramatic stage for events across multiple disciplines while highlighting regional culture, cuisine, and tourism, contributing to a lasting impression of the Games in that part of Europe.
The upcoming Olympic program progressed with the Summer Games in Paris, which ran from July 26 to August 11 in 2024. Paris staged a celebration that blended historic venues with contemporary venues, showcasing a wide range of sports and cultural events that brought together athletes from around the world in a memorable summer of competition and pageantry.
During February 2022, the IOC urged international sport federations to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. This stance reflected concerns about competition integrity and safety in the face of geopolitical events. By the end of 2023, the IOC decided to allow Russians and Belarusians to participate at the 2024 Olympic Games, but as neutral athletes. They were required to meet specific criteria and qualify under neutral status, with regulations designed to ensure fair participation while maintaining the political sensitivities involved.
On July 18, the IOC released the complete roster of Russian athletes who would compete at the 2024 Games, totaling 15 participants. The list reflected a careful verification process to determine eligibility and to confirm that those selected fit the neutral designation and met all performance and governance standards set by the Olympic body.
Earlier moves by the IOC included considerations about Russia’s role in hosting or presenting the Olympics. Those attempts to assign responsibilities or endorse a Russian Olympic program faced scrutiny and were ultimately not pursued in the same manner as traditional hosting or direct participation. The organization continued to navigate the evolving international landscape while maintaining its commitment to fair competition and athlete participation across the global Olympic movement.