It's going to take a lot of work for Utah to host the 2034 Winter Games. That's what Gov. Spencer Cox's main takeaway was as he observed the 2026 Winter Olympics last month.
SALT LAKE CITY — It's going to take a lot of work for Utah to host the 2034 Winter Games.That's the takeaway for Gov. Spencer Cox after spending a week in Italy last month during the Milan Cortina Winter Games, observing the behind-the-scenes operations that make the Olympics and Paralympics for athletes with disabilities run.
"It's really incredible how much it takes to put on a Games. So I came away, I think, equal parts excited and cautious about all the work that needs to be done," the governor told the Deseret News.He spent time in Milan's command center for the 2026 Winter Games, watching Italian organizers scramble to deal with situations like power outages that cut off communications with some remote mountain venues."I was at the headquarters where all the decisions were being made. I was watching the problems come in from different venues in real time, seeing how all the technology merged together, how they were dispatching people to help," the governor said.Milan's unfinished venues, untrained volunteersWhile touring "the bowels of venues," Cox said he spotted signs of the last-minute efforts to finish construction at a newly built community center on the outskirts of the city used for hockey competitions.Plastic zip ties were used to secure temporary lights to a stairwell railing, and "they were just putting paint on the walls," he said, adding, "that's not Italy's fault. It's hard to host the Games, especially when you have to add new facilities."There were also what Cox termed training issues with some of Italy's many Olympic volunteers, leading to "long lines. People were struggling with concessions in some places," as well as how the chain of command worked.That may be normal in any new job, the governor said, but the thousands of people donating their time and "giving their best" to the Games were confronted by concerns that may have been avoided with more preparation from organizers."You have to be thoughtful and try and anticipate as many problems as you possibly can, so that when they do occur, you know exactly what you need to do," he said, noting many of the difficulties he witnessed were "just little things, but things you don't really think about." Fans at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena for a USA women's hockey game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 10. Gov. Spencer Cox said the Italian Games had its share of problems, bu
Traffic Weather Sports Classifieds Cars Jobs Homes Television Radio Salt Lake Utah Local Sports Politics Travel Local
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Utah Jazz Alema Harrington & Mike Smith: Ace Bailey's career nightThe Utah Jazz fell to the Raptors, but rookie Ace Bailey continued to show his amazing growth in the NBA game.Ace delivered another career night with 37 points
Read more »
It’s Endometriosis Awareness Month — how one Utah woman found answers to her chronic painCLICK HERE to reach out to Tina with any story ideas or news tips.
Read more »
Gas Prices Soar in Utah: Are Drivers Being Gouged?Utah motorists are facing rising gasoline prices, prompting questions about price gouging. Experts attribute the increase to global events, including the war in Iran. The impact extends beyond the pump, affecting the broader economy.
Read more »
Trump Nominates Mullin for Homeland Security Secretary; Other Utah News RoundupU.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security. This story, along with other Utah news regarding a felony rape charge, lost hockey tickets, rising gas prices, a hiker accident and a bomb threat, is included in this roundup.
Read more »
Utah mother accused of kidnapping, threatening child's bully for an apologyA Utah mother was charged after she allegedly kidnapped her child's bully in order to force him to apologize.SHANNON MARIE TUFUGADOB: 8/7/1985COUNT 1: CHILD KI
Read more »
Utah leaders discuss experiences at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, look ahead to 2034Logan Stefanich is a reporter with KSL, covering southern Utah communities, education, business and tech news.
Read more »