The Olympic Rings are pictured covered in snow at the Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron Plaza in Salt Lake City, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — It looks like there are two new contenders for the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, and we still don’t know who they are.
Up to this point, Salt Lake City, Sweden, Sapporo, Japan and Vancouver, Canada have all been named contenders for 2030.
But, International Olympic Committee Executive Director Christophe Dubi recently told the Associated Press, there are five regions interested besides Sweden. That means six total bidders, not four.
However, Dubi would not say who the other bidders are.
President and CEO of Utah’s Committee for the Games, Fraser Bullock, has always been up-front about Utah’s strong chance to host either the 2030 or 2034 games.
But, Bullock previously told KSL NewsRadio, 2030 would be a tough turn since Los Angeles is hosting the 2028 summer games.
“Operationally (it’s) much more challenging…it’s doable but more challenging,” Bullock said.
Bullock said he expects the IOC to name the 2030 host around the time Paris hosts the 2024 summer games.
“Bids are always so fluid, be prepared for anything,” Bullock said.