The International Olympic Committee awarded Salt Lake City the 2034 Winter Olympics in an 83-6 vote, but with a clause demanding Utah officials end an FBI investigation into suspected doping by Chinese swimmers. The IOC is upset about the ongoing investigation and wants WADA to be the lead authority on doping cases. This move was seen as a power move by the IOC to force government officials to comply.
Salt Lake City, the only candidate, was awarded the Olympics despite Reno-Tahoe’s waning bid. The city’s second Olympics since 2002 came with some drama, as officials were pressured to lobby against the investigation. Some countries expressed concerns about the U.S. anti-conspiracy law possibly affecting athletes’ travel to the U.S.
WADA’s handling of the Chinese swimmers’ doping case is under scrutiny, with evidence to support the contamination theory not yet provided. The case can be investigated in the U.S. under the Rodchenkov Act. Utah officials have pledged to resolve the IOC’s concerns by working with Congress and future presidents.
The IOC’s decision was met with criticism from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and concerns over the threats made by the IOC. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed former presidential candidate Mitt Romney is involved in the lobbying efforts.
Salt Lake City will have almost 10 years to prepare for the Winter Games, the fifth in the U.S. It will be the longest lead-in for a modern Winter Games. The 2030 Winter Games were awarded to France for a regional project split between the Alps and Nice, pending government approval. U.S. Olympic officials continue to be involved in IOC decisions, with USOPC chair Gene Sykes becoming a full IOC member.
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Photo credit nevadasportsnet.com
