How you can get in on the 2034 Olympic announcement party
Jul 17, 2024, 3:59 PM | Updated: Jul 19, 2024, 6:57 pm
FILE - Simone Biles and the U.S. women celebrate as the 2024 team is named at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — A highly anticipated announcement by the International Olympic Committee is quickly approaching — one that locals in Utah are hoping will make history for Utah. The celebration includes a huge party in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.
Where to watch
KSL TV will have a team in Paris, and a team on the ground in Washington Square. Viewers can experience the party live on KSL on your television, at KSLTV.com or on the KSL+ app.
Schedule
The Celebrate 2034 Olympic party is expected to start at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time (10:30 a.m. in Paris) on July 24 in Washington Square Park.
The IOC is expected to hold its final vote in Paris, as Olympians count down their final hours before the start of the 2024 Summer Games. The announcement will be made in late morning for those in Paris, so the party will be an overnight one for Utahns.
KSL TV will be broadcasting live from Washington Square Park, and big-screen TVs will be brought in to broadcast events from the French capital. In Paris, the IOC will be fed live footage of the party in Salt Lake City.
All times on the schedule are subject to change.
- 2:30 a.m. MST — KSL TV’s broadcast begins followed minutes later when Gov. Spencer Cox, Mayor Erin Mendenhall and other bid leaders make their final pitch for the 2034 Games
- 3:05 a.m. MST — Q&A with Cox, Mendenhall and bid leaders
- 3:35 a.m. MST — The IOC is expected to make its final vote and announcement
- 4 a.m. MST — Cauldron lighting at the University of Utah (broadcasted in Washington Square)
- 5 a.m. MST — Drone show over Washington Square
- 5:30 a.m. MST — Cox, Mendenhall speak from Paris
- 6:30 a.m. MST — Salt Lake City delegation press conference
- 8 a.m. MST — IOC press conference
- 9 a.m. MST — Days of ’47 Parade
- 11 a.m. MST — The Celebrate 2034 party continues until approximately 1 p.m.
“I want to hear all your cheers from Washington Square in Paris on July 24, when they vote yes,” Mendenhall said to a crowd gathered there on July 8. “We’re going to need several thousand of you.”
Mendenhall promised food trucks and caffeine to help party-goers stay awake, and suggested they come in their pajamas — preferably red, white and blue ones, she said.
“Party like it’s 2002”
The IOC made an initial statement in November 2023, stating that Salt Lake City was the preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games, but held out on making it official; that announcement comes early Wednesday morning.
Celebrate 2034 with a party in the early morning hours of July 24, at Washington Square in Salt Lake City, just hours before the city’s annual parade. A live feed from Paris will allow Utahns to watch events with the International Olympic Committee live. (KSL TV)
Now, some eight months later, Salt Lake locals are recalling the day in 2002 when the announcement was made that Salt Lake City had been chosen. The day made history and lives on in the memory of thousands.
Because this announcement day is set for July 24, it will coincide with Utah’s Pioneer Day holiday and the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics will follow suit just two days later. Meaning the entire week will be packed with festivities.
Utah was awarded the 2002 Winter Olympics on June 16, 1995. Keith McCord, a former KSL TV anchor, said he never worked so hard and never had so much fun than working the Olympics. (KSL TV)
Days of ’47 Parade
In the middle of the Olympic party, the Days of ’47 Parade will immediately follow, starting at 9 a.m. The parade route begins on South Temple and State Street, and will then run through 200 East, 900 South and 600 East.
Salt Lake locals have traditionally camped out the night before the parade along the parade route.
