The Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games announced in February 2025 the formation of a Steering Committee designed to provide advisory direction to its Board. The group brings together state and local elected officials, business leaders, and a diverse array of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to guide preparations for the Salt Lake City-Utah games.
Advisory Role and Athlete Expertise
The Steering Committee was established to serve in an advisory capacity, providing expertise and perspectives to the Organizing Committee Board, which maintains ultimate governance and fiduciary responsibility. Executive Chair and President Fraser Bullock stated that the committee will play a vital role in the years leading up to 2034, allowing the organization to incorporate specialized knowledge on topics paramount to the success of the Games.
According to an announcement from Utah 2034, the committee includes ten athletes with significant Utah ties, ranging from summer and winter medalists. Notable athletic members include two-time Olympic champion Ted Ligety, 2022 figure skating gold medalist Nathan Chen, and 13-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell. The group also features 2024 Olympic mountain biking silver medalist Haley Batten, 2024 Olympic steeplechase silver medalist Kenneth Rooks, and 2002 Paralympic cross country champion Tanja Kari.
Specialized Committees and Leadership
In addition to the Steering Committee, the organizing body is empanelling several specialized committees to address specific areas of expertise. Four-time Olympic speed skater Catherine Raney Norman, who previously served as board chair for the bid committee, was named to head the Athletes’ Commission. This commission will consist of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and is tasked with providing guidance to ensure a positive athlete experience and building a lasting sporting legacy throughout Utah and the nation.
The Host Communities Committee will focus on leadership from each venue community. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall will chair the committee, while Park City Mayor Nann Worel will serve as vice chair. The two mayors previously held similar roles during the initial bidding phase for the 2034 Games.
Venue and Technology Coordination
Further specialized groups include the Sport and Venues Committee, which will be chaired by Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation President and CEO Colin Hilton. This committee is intended to bring together leaders from all proposed Games venues along with national sport leaders to ensure alignment through the sharing of best practices.
The Technology and Innovation Committee will be led by Matthew Prince, the co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. As a technology visionary and Utah native, Prince will use his network to support the organizing committee's needs over the next decade.
Regional and Official Representation
The Steering Committee roster includes a wide range of participants from across the region, including officials and community members such as Senator Luz Escamilla, Representative Jon Hawkins, and Senator Mike McKell. Other notable members listed include Brad Mortensen of Ogden, Maura Carabello of Salt Lake City, and Christena Huntsman of Salt Lake City.
The committee also features individuals from outside the immediate area, such as Dani Aravich from Boise, Idaho, and Hanna Skandera from Denver, Colorado. The group's composition reflects a mix of local municipal leadership, including Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Mayor Nann Worel, alongside business-oriented members like Matthew Prince.
Committee Composition and Future Growth
The full roster of Steering Committee members includes several individuals from the Park City area, such as Scott Beck, Colin Hilton, Ted Ligety, David Lockwood, Matthew Prince, Nathan Rafferty, Chris Waddell, and Mayor Nann Worel. Other members identified include Carine Clark of Orem, Kaysha Love of Herriman, and Brad Rencher of Alpine.
Following the initial announcement in February 2025, Fraser Bullock indicated that the chairs of the specialized committees would begin the process of populating their respective groups with members. He also noted that additional committees might be created over time to address evolving management and board requirements.
Initial Meeting Schedule
The Organizing Committee Board and Steering Committee held their first scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The subsequent specialized committees were scheduled to begin meetings once their respective chairs had finalized their membership selections.
