Utah
Olympics President Thomas Bach visits with young athletes at venues across the state
For International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, there’s little doubt he meant it when he said the best part about coming back to Utah was seeing the young athletes training at the state’s 2002 Winter Games facilities, many with hopes of competing here where the Olympics and Paralympics return in 2034.
During his two-day visit that ended Saturday, the leader of the Switzerland-based IOC made sure he had plenty of opportunities.
At the Utah Olympic Park near Park City on a hot Saturday afternoon, Bach marched up a steep, pebble-covered hillside to the massive 80-foot-by-180-foot inflatable airbag used by snowboarders to practice their big air moves in the summer, ignoring plans to briefly view it from a balcony.
Those fancy twists and turns ski jumpers practice at the nearby aerated pool? Bach didn’t want to watch poolside. Trailed by an entourage of staffers and journalists, he climbed up on the outer slippery, squishy jumps so he could be as close as possible to the action.
Same with skeleton, the headfirst sliding sport that shares a track with bobsled and luge. After hearing starts were being practiced on a concrete side track, he insisted on heading across the park to be there as the helmeted sliders jumped on their wheeled sleds.
At the Utah Olympic Oval earlier in the afternoon, Bach chatted with a group of young figure skaters in sparkling outfits, then joined them on the ice for a photo in his sneakers. He also spent time talking with some young speedskaters who’d been doing sprints around the oval’s running track, passing out heart-shaped enameled lapel pins with the five Olympic rings.
“You see a very happy man in front of you,” Bach told reporters, later explaining his favorite part of any travel is meeting with young athletes. His final term as IOC president will end next year and this could be his last trip to the United States in that role. His visit started with an address to the United Nations in New York City and will end in Los Angeles, host of the 2028 Summer Games.
Utah’s Olympic organizers encouraged to ‘think big’
Bach’s first trip to Utah since 2002 was also about the next steps for Utah’s successful Olympic bidders. The IOC voted to give Utah the 2034 Winter Games on July 24 in Paris, but bidders have been trying to bring another Olympics and Paralympics to the state for more than a decade.
The bar is already being set high for Utah’s second Winter Games, with comparisons to Paris’ successful 2024 Summer Games.
“You have it all,” Bach declared at a celebratory breakfast in the Grand America Hotel garden Saturday, citing the state’s strong public and private support for the Olympics. “You can be for the Winter Games what Paris was for the Summer Games. Paris, with the Summer Games, was the first Olympic Games organized according to our Olympic agenda reforms.”
Those reforms, put in place under Bach, focus on encouraging sustainability and gender parity along with a more youth-oriented and urban Games. “All these ingredients, you have also here in Salt Lake and in Utah. So make use of them,” he said, urging the audience of more than 150 community, business and elected leaders to “think big.”
What’s next for Olympic organizers
The Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games that’s behind the bid has until Christmas Eve to make the transition to an organizing committee. There have been behind-the-scenes conversations during Bach’s visit about what that might look like, including with state lawmakers.
“That should now happen soon,” Bach told reporters, calling it “the first and very important step’ to form the committee that will be responsible for putting on what will add up to a $4 billion price tag, set to be paid for privately, largely through the sale of sponsorships, broadcast rights and tickets.
But with the next Summer Games also being held in the United States, Utah organizers won’t be able to sell domestic sponsorships for 2034 until after 2029. Bach said he’s been reassured that the state’s donor base is strong enough to ensure there’s enough money to cover organizing costs for the next five years. Private contributions paid for the bid process.
“Very much so. I’ve received very encouraging news here from the private sector. There is already a great engagement to do this kind of bridge financing,” Bach said. “I have no doubt after all the meetings we’ve had. Also, the public sector is very much behind the Games. So don’t worry.”
He was also asked about the last-minute addition to Utah’s host contract that allows the IOC to take back the 2034 Games if “the supreme authority of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in the fight against doping is not fully respected or if the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is hindered or undermined” by the United States.
The new language, sparked by a U.S. government investigation into allegations involving how failed doping tests by Chinese swimmers were handled, was added as “a matter of honesty. We had to advise Salt Lake that there is this risk because of a decision that may be taken by WADA. It isn’t our decision,” Bach said in some of his first public comments about the matter.
Utah “had nothing to do with this,” the IOC president said. “It’s not up to them to comply.” He said the action by the IOC is also “a matter of even greater confidence because we would not have allocated the Games to Salt Lake 10 years ahead if we would not have had full confidence that this matter will be resolved between WADA and USADA (the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency).”
It’s the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee that’s stepped up to help mend the rift between the international and U.S. anti-doping agencies at the heart of the controversy. USOPC Chair Gene Sykes, who is also an IOC member, told the Deseret News the head of USADA attended a dinner hosted for Bach in Colorado Springs this week.
“I have as much confidence as I’ve ever had that this is not going to have a bearing on Utah,” Sykes said.
“We’re in great hands,” Fraser Bullock, the bid committee’s president and CEO, said. “It’s not our issue.”
Bullock, who served as the chief operating officer of the 2002 Games, said the biggest challenge Utah’s Olympic organizers now face is maximizing the opportunity of hosting again.
“We have the venues. We have great people. We are very confident in our ability to host the Games,” he said. “But how can we level up and do something even more impactful for our communities, create unity in our communities, create unity in our state, inspire our entire country and eventually the whole world?”
Bach meets with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
On Friday, Bach met with several leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Church Administration Building, including President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as emeritus General Authority Elder Donald L. Hallstrom.
“No one will be more supportive of these Olympics than we will,” President Holland said. “We’re thrilled to contribute in any way we can. We want you to feel that there’s no more hospitable place in the United States — or on this planet — than you have here.”
Church leaders presented Bach with a four-generation chart of his ancestors and a leather-bound copy of the Book of Mormon. Bach gave President Holland a set of Olympic rings. Joining Bach at Temple Square were IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi.
Also at the meeting were Bullock and the bid committee chair, Catherine Raney Norman; Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall; Don Stirling of the Miller Group; and 2024 Summer Games silver medalist Kenneth Rooks.
SALT LAKE CITY — Browse the list of what the University of Utah is seeking bids for these days, and you’ll find it wants to buy parts for power systems and that it’s seeking someone to redevelop the old Fort Douglas military installation.
What you won’t find is requests to bid on its sports teams. Yet, on Tuesday, the campus announced it was essentially selling a stake in Ute athletics to Otro Capital — a New York City-based private equity firm.
It’s a deal worth $400 million or $500 million, according to various news outlets. Normally, when the U of U wants goods or services for anything costing as little as $10,000, it seeks bids posted to a public website.
“All this seems to be backdoor discussions without the public,” said Katherine Biele, president of the League of Women Voters of Utah.
Biele said the league was not taking a position on whether private equity should be part of college sports. Its concern is transparency — how taxpayer money is used and how the deal could impact academics.
“Any kind of information helps,” Biele said. “When you keep everything private and behind closed doors, the public has no idea. And of course that’s where people get worried and confused.”
A U of U spokesperson on Friday said a public bid was not necessary because the new company will be owned by the University of Utah Foundation, an independent nonprofit. The foundation was acting on a directive issued by the university’s board of trustees earlier this year.
“The foundation reviewed many entities,” the foundation’s CEO, David Anderson, said in a statement, “including a large number of private capital firms that have experience in sports-related investments.”
Jerry McGinn, an expert on government and the director of the Center for the Industrial Base in Washington, DC, said it’s normal for government agencies to seek bids privately rather than publicly.
“And the word in that community was likely pretty well known that Utah was looking to do something,” McGinn said.
Ben Rosa, an assistant professor of business economics at the University of Michigan, said the U of U may have sought private bids because it had good information about what its athletics are worth.
“But if they don’t,” Rosa said, “then, by not running an auction, by not requesting proposals publicly, they may have been giving up some value.”
University of Utah Foundation President David Anderson issued the following statement:
As you know, the university has been wrestling with the issues confronting our athletics programs for some time. Several months ago, university leaders, including the Board of Trustees, designated the university’s foundation to explore alternatives, potential impacts and whether a partner made sense, and if so, which one.
In consultation with trustees and university leaders, the foundation reviewed many entities, including a large number of private capital firms that have experience in sports-related investments. The foundation will oversee the partnership between Utah Brands & Entertainment and any final partner, including Otro.
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Leaders in the Utah Jewish community have prepared security measures ahead of their Festival of Lights celebration, following a deadly attack at a similar holiday event in Australia.
At least 11 people were killed, and 29 were injured after two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah celebration on a beach in Sydney. Government officials called the shooting an act of antisemitism and terrorism.
Officials with the United Jewish Federation of Utah released a statement Sunday echoing this sentiment, saying they are “heartbroken and outraged by the antisemitic terrorist attack.”
“Once again, Jews were targeted simply for being Jewish and for celebrating our traditions and our right to religious freedom. We must not ignore efforts to normalize hatred or to cloak antisemitism in political rhetoric,” the statement read.
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The Jewish community in Utah plans to gather for a Hanukkah celebration at the Capitol Sunday evening, a similar event to the one attacked in Sydney.
Officials said they are working closely with law enforcement and security partners to protect the attendees of the Festival of Lights celebration.
“Chanukah marks the Jewish people’s fight to live openly as Jews – and to bring light into dark times. That message is painfully relevant today. Those who sought to extinguish that light will not succeed,” the statement read.
The statement closed by saying the Utah Jewish community will “stand in solidarity” with communities across the world as they mourn those killed in the attack.
“We mourn the victims, pray for the recovery of the injured, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that the lights of Chanukah continue to shine,” it said.
Read the full statement below:
United Jewish Federation of Utah is heartbroken and outraged by the antisemitic terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, during a first night-of-Chanukah gathering. According to reports, at least eleven people were killed, with many more injured, as families came together to celebrate the Festival of Lights. As details continue to emerge, we mourn every life lost and hold the victims, the injured, and their loved ones in our hearts.
This was a deliberate act of violence against Jews gathered openly to practice their faith. It must be named clearly: this was antisemitism. Once again, Jews were targeted simply for being Jewish and for celebrating our traditions and our right to religious freedom. We must not ignore efforts to normalize hatred or to cloak antisemitism in political rhetoric.
Chanukah marks the Jewish people’s fight to live openly as Jews – and to bring light into dark times. That message is painfully relevant today. Those who sought to extinguish that light will not succeed. The Jewish people will not retreat from Jewish life in the face of hatred.
As Jewish communities in Utah prepare to gather for Chanukah, we do so with vigilance and resolve. The United Jewish Federation of Utah is in close coordination with local law enforcement and community security partners to help ensure celebrations across our state are safe and secure.
We are grateful for the support of Utah’s elected officials and civic leaders and call on leaders everywhere to speak out clearly and forcefully. This attack must be condemned for what it is: a blatant act of antisemitic terror. Words matter – and so do actions. Strong public safety commitments and an unwavering refusal to normalize antisemitism are essential.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Sydney and with Jewish communities around the world. We mourn the victims, pray for the recovery of the injured, and recommit ourselves to ensuring that the lights of Chanukah continue to shine.
___
Game Notes
Quick Hits
1) Today, Pittsburgh concludes its fifth set of back-to-back games. So far, the Penguins are 2-3-4 in back-to-backs (2-1-2 on the first night and 0-2-2 on the second night).
2) The Penguins enter today’s game ranked first in the NHL in power-play percentage (32.9%) and fifth in penalty kill success rate (84.3%).
3) Yesterday, Sidney Crosby notched two power-play points (1G-1A), making him the 12th player in NHL history to record 600 or more power-play points.
4) Sidney Crosby’s next even-strength goal will surpass Phil Esposito (448) for sole possession of the ninth-most even-strength goals in NHL history.
5) Goaltender Stuart Skinner is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in two career games versus Utah. Only Darcy Kuemper (4), Sergei Bobrovsky (3) and Lukas Dostal (3) have more wins against the Mammoth in NHL history.
FRANCHISE ICON
Sidney Crosby enters tonight’s game riding a four-game point streak (1G-4A) and has points in seven of his last eight games (6G-5A). Crosby, who has notched 1,711 points (644G-1,077A) in his career, sits just two points shy of tying Mario Lemieux’s franchise record of 1,723 points.
When Crosby ties Lemieux, only two players in NHL history will have recorded more points with one franchise: Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman.
The captain enters tonight’s game with six goals over his last eight games (6G-5A), and is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals.
HOME COOKIN’
Forward Bryan Rust recorded three points (1G-2A) yesterday against San Jose, giving him five points (2G-3A) over his last two games, both of which have come at home. This season, only Sidney Crosby has more points than Rust at PPG Paints Arena.
DECEMBER LEADERS
Forward Anthony Mantha notched a season-high three points (1G-2A) yesterday against San Jose, giving him six points (2G-4A) over his last six games. Since the calendar flipped to December, only three players on Pittsburgh have more points than him (Bryan Rust, Sidney Crosby, Erik Karlsson).
POINT PRODUCIN’
Defenseman Kris Letang enters tonight’s game one point shy of surpassing Hall-of-Famer Borje Salming for the 21st most points by a defenseman in NHL history.
PENS ACQUIRE SKINNER AND KULAK
On Friday, the Penguins acquired goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak and the Edmonton Oilers 2029 second-round draft pick in exchange for goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin.
Skinner, 27, has appeared in 23 games this season for the Oilers where he’s gone 11-8-4 with a 2.83 goals-against average and two shutouts. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound goaltender has spent his entire professional career with Edmonton, appearing in 197 career regular-season games going 109-62-18 with a 2.74 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage and nine shutouts. Skinner’s 109 regular-season wins rank fifth in Oilers franchise history while his nine shutouts are tied for fourth.
The native of Edmonton, Alberta also has 50 games of Stanley Cup Playoff experience, going 26-22 with a 2.88 goals-against average. Skinner most recently helped the Oilers reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, and only eight active goaltenders have more postseason wins than his 26.
Kulak, 31, is a veteran of 611 NHL games split between Edmonton, Montreal and Calgary since 2014. The defenseman is coming off of a career year, where he tallied career highs across the board with seven goals, 18 assists and 25 points in 82 games in 2024-25. This season, he has recorded two assists through 31 games.
Throughout parts of 12 seasons in the league, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound defenseman has registered 28 goals, 99 assists and 127 points. Kulak has added three goals, 21 assists and 24 points through 98 career playoff games, including a combined 13 points (2G-11A) in 47 games over the past two years en route to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
The acquisition of Edmonton’s 2029 second-round draft pick gives Pittsburgh eight selections in the 2029 NHL Draft – their original seven selections plus the Oiler’s second-round pick.
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