Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker yesterday announced the "creation of an exploratory committee to see whether Utah should put together a formal bid" for the '22 or '26 Winter Olympic Games, according to Mike Gorrell of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE. Herbert said, "We need to pursue this (exploration) to see if there is real opportunity there. This is just the first step of the process." But it’s an exciting step that needs to be taken if we are going to take the journey." He then asked a 14-member committee to deliver a comprehensive report by May. While Becker emphasized "no predetermined recommendation" is expected from the committee, he "made it clear he believes Salt Lake City and Utah’s other 2002 venue cities have existing foundations to put on a 'sustainable' Olympics." Gorrell notes "much of the venue infrastructure is in place." The exploratory committee includes three Olympians, four former Salt Lake Organizing Committee execs and "two other veterans" of the '02 Olympics. The group will be led by Becker, Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and Utah Sports Commission Chair Steven Price. If the committee recommends pursuing another Games, Herbert said that a "broader-based bid committee would be formed." While he "foresees a bid being privately financed," Bell added that the committee "would not rule out a public-private partnership" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 2/9).
