Several leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were pleased to host Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for a special visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Friday, September 27, 2024.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Bach was joined by IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi. A delegation for the 2034 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City was also present. It was led by Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games. He was joined by committee chair Catherine Raney Norman, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Don Stirling of the Miller Group and 2024 Paris Games silver medalist Kenneth Rooks.
The group met in the Church Administration Building with President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as emeritus General Authority Elder Donald L. Hallstrom.
“No one will be more supportive of these Olympics than we will,” President Holland said. “We’re thrilled to contribute in any way we can. We want you to feel that there’s no more hospitable place in the United States — or on this planet — than you have here.”
Church leaders emphasized how valuable Utah’s spirit of volunteerism will be for the 2034 Games, just as it was during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. They also noted the added blessing of having former missionaries who speak many languages and become champions of the countries in which they served.
“Thank you for highlighting the volunteers,” Bach said. “This is one of the values we share with your Church. It’s about unity. It’s about volunteerism. It’s about one global world. It’s about peace. Therefore, for me it’s no surprise we get along with each other.”
Mayor Mendenhall added that in the Salt Lake City School District alone, more than 100 languages are spoken.
Church leaders presented Bach with a four-generation chart of his ancestors and a leather-bound copy of the Book of Mormon. Bach gave President Holland a set of Olympic rings.
After Salt Lake City secured the bid to host the 2034 Olympic Winter Games, the First Presidency celebrated the news.
“We stand ready to support the 2034 Winter Olympic Games in welcoming athletes, volunteers and visitors from around the world,” the First Presidency statement said. “The Church is committed to efforts that make Salt Lake a host city that embodies values of service, cooperation and mutual respect. As the home of the international headquarters of the Church, we will work with organizers at both local and international levels to welcome the world as 2034 draws near.”