West
As many cities sour on hosting the Olympics, Salt Lake City's enthusiasm endures
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The International Olympic Committee was effusive in its support Wednesday for a decades-long effort to bring back the Winter Games to Utah’s capital city in 2034.
Unlike so many other past hosts that have decided bringing back the Games isn’t worth the time, money or hassle, Salt Lake City remains one of the few places where Olympic fever still burns strong. Olympic officials praised the city for preserving facilities and public enthusiasm as they kicked off their final visit ahead of a formal announcement expected this July.
IN AN OLYMPICS FIRST, TRACK AND FIELD GOLD MEDALISTS TO BE AWARDED PRIZE MONEY
Reminders of the 2002 Winter Games are nestled throughout the city, from a towering cauldron overlooking the valley to an Olympic emblem stamped on manhole covers downtown. Leaving the airport, a can’t-miss arch amid snow-capped mountains shows visitors they’re entering an Olympic city.
The scoreboard at the University of Utahs Rice-Eccles Stadium promotes Salt Lake City’s bid to host another Winter Olympics in 2034 as International Olympic Committee members prepare to tour the stadium and other venues on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Those remnants are part of a long-term strategy Utah leaders launched on the heels of their first Olympics to remind residents that the Games are part of the fabric of their city, and that being a host city is a point of pride.
Olympic officials said they were greeted with such excitement Wednesday that it felt like the 2002 Winter Games never ended.
In the decades since Salt Lake City first opened its nearby slopes to the world’s top winter athletes, the pool of potential hosts has shrunk dramatically. The sporting spectacular is a notorious money pit, and climate change has curtailed the number of sites capable of hosting.
Even though Salt Lake City got caught in a bribery scandal that nearly derailed the 2002 Winter Olympics, it has worked its way back into the good graces of an Olympic committee increasingly reliant on passionate communities as its options dwindle. The city is now a prime candidate if officials eventually form a permanent rotation of host cities, Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi told reporters.
“We are in an environment here where we look for opportunities more than concerns,” Dubi said. “For the next 10 years, we’re not so much looking at what is challenging, but what are the opportunities to work together.”
The committee was left with only two bid cities for 2022 — Beijing, China, and Almaty, Kazakhstan — after financial, political and public concerns led several European contenders to drop out.
“The International Olympic Committee needs Salt Lake City a lot more than Salt Lake City needs the International Olympic Committee, or the Olympics,” said Jules Boykoff, a sports and politics professor at Pacific University.
For Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, securing the bid is central to his goal of cementing the state as North America’s winter sports capital.
Cox has continued a long-running push by state leaders to beckon professional sports leagues and welcome international events like last year’s NBA All-Star Game that could help burnish its image as a sports and tourism mecca, while chipping away at a lingering stigma that Utah is a bizarre, hyper-religious place.
About half of the state’s 3.4 million residents and the majority of state leaders belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.
Dave Lunt, a historian at Southern Utah University who teaches about the Olympics, said the Games give members of that faith, and other residents, a chance to clear up misconceptions and share their values with the world.
“Latter-day Saints really just want to be liked. No disrespect or anything, that’s my community, but there’s this history of, we want to show that we fit in, we’re good Americans,” he said. “We’re happy to host the party at our house.”
The 2002 Games, widely regarded as one of the most successful Olympics, brought government funding for a light-rail system and world-class athletic facilities. The city grew rapidly in its wake.
Utah bid leaders declined to release a budget estimate, saying they should be able to provide one next month. But they assured the committee that they could keep costs down by using most of the same venues they’ve spent millions to maintain since 2002. They also touted bipartisan support for hosting in the Democratic capital city of a predominantly Republican state.
With few options remaining for the Olympic committee, Salt Lake City has leverage to dictate terms, Boykoff said. Those can include funds, deadlines and even which sports are included.
And with NBC’s multibillion-dollar broadcasting contract with the Olympic committee set to expire in 2032 — two years before Utah would host — the committee has a vested interest in selecting a U.S. city in a better time zone for live broadcasts to entice U.S.-based broadcasting giants.
Unlike many cities, Salt Lake City residents did not get to vote on whether they wanted another Games, even as leaders say their polling shows more than 80% approval statewide.
Olympic historians say the hype can distract residents from downsides for other hosts, such as gentrification, corruption, rising taxes or empty promises of environmental improvements.
So far, no opposition has formed in Utah.
“If we consider the Olympics a cultural institution,” Lunt said, “maybe it’s worth paying some money if the people of Utah decide that’s important to us, collectively.”
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Arbor View’s Risden Miller, right, spikes the ball against Palo Verde’s Evan Ditmar (1) during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Luke Hashimoto (1) makes a save during a 5A boys volleyball game against Palo Verde at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Risden Miller (10) sends the ball past Palo Verde’s Jagger Mendenhall (4) during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View celebrates after defeating Palo Verde in a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Ben Fife, left, gets the ball around Arbor View defenders during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Evan Ditmar (1) tries to save the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Andrew Gutierrez (7) attacks during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Graham Blanchard, right, attacks during a 5A boys volleyball game against Palo Verde at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Luke Hashimoto serves the ball to Palo Verde during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Eli Hernandez (6) hits the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Gunnar Robinson (7) gets to the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game against Palo Verde at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Kenyon Wickliffe, right, attacks the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game against Palo Verde at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Jagger Mendenhall (4) sets the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Evan Ditmar (1) looks to attack during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Kenyon Wickliffe (17) looks to block Palo Verde’s Andrew Gutierrez (7) during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Risden Miller reacts after a play against Palo Verde during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Risden Miller, right, and Arbor View’s Kenyon Wickliffe, partially obscured, defend against an attack from Palo Verde during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Ben Fife (2) hits the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Andrew Gutierrez, left, goes for a backward attack during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
An attack from Palo Verde’s Ben Fife (2) gets past Arbor View defenders during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde players huddle during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Graham Blanchard, center right, looks to attack the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game against Palo Verde at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Eli Hernandez (6) hits the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Arbor View’s Keagan Sugden (9) sets the ball during a 5A boys volleyball game against Palo Verde at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
Palo Verde’s Evan Ditmar (1) looks to attack during a 5A boys volleyball game at Arbor View High School on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Albuquerque police are shutting down Interstate 25 northbound near Avenida Cesar Chavez after a two people were seriously injured in a crash.
The crash happened at about 7 p.m. at the Coal exit.
Police said crews took two people with serious injuries to a local hospital for treatment.
Detectives are investigating the crash, and police said traffic on Interstate 25 northbound remains open but drivers should expect delays near Coal.
The Oregon Ducks saw seven prospects picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, headlined by tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round.
It’s never too early to start talking about the 2027 NFL Draft, and Oregon has a few underclassmen who could declare early for the draft, joining an already deep draft class out of Eugene led by quarterback Dante Moore.
Jamari Johnson
After former Oregon star Kenyon Sadiq was drafted as the first tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 16 overall pick, many believe the Ducks have college football’s next best tight end already on the roster.
With Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson already receiving recognition as the top tight end prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft, he’s likely only spending one more year in Eugene. Johnson flashed as a receiver during his first season at Oregon, and the expectations have only risen for 2026.
Alongside Sadiq, Johnson totaled 32 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns last season. After a season as the top tight end in Oregon’s offense, Johnson is expected to become the third Ducks tight end drafted in three consecutive years following Sadiq and Terrance Ferguson.
Koi Perich
Former Minnesota safety transferred to Oregon in the offseason and immediately received comparisons to former Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman, who started his career with Purdue before transferring and becoming a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
While Oregon fans certainly hope that Perich follows in Thieneman’s footsteps, the Chicago Bears’ first-round pick set the bar high.
Perich enters the Ducks defense expected to be an immediate contributor after earning freshman All-American honors (like Thieneman did at Purdue). The newest Oregon safety totaled 128 combined tackles, six interceptions, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in two seasons with Minnesota.
If he can produce at a similar level in Oregon’s defense, the NFL could come calling early for Perich.
Jeremiah McClellan
Maybe a bit of a surprise pick here, but McClellan will be eligible to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season. The headlining receiver in 2027 will no doubt be Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith, but McClellan could play his way into the NFL Draft.
McClellan is not projected as an early-round draft pick, especially entering a year in Oregon’s offense that features fellow receivers Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore.
Still, McClellan stepped up when the Ducks were thin at receiver in 2025, and another strong season from the Oregon pass catcher could boost his NFL Draft stock high enough. He finished the year with 38 catches for 557 yards and three touchdowns, not to mention his uncanny ability for acrobatic, highlight receptions.
McClellan did miss Oregon’s spring game on Saturday with an undisclosed injury, though, so he’s far from a lock to declare early for the NFL Draft.
Especially considering the Ducks’ ability to retain players under Lanning, McClellan could very well play multiple years at Oregon after 2026. However, another break out season, and it could be his last in Eugene.
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