SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City was formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics following a vote Wednesday by the International Olympic Committee in Paris, giving Utah its second Games after hosting in 2002.
About a thousand sports fans gathered in downtown Salt Lake City at 3 a.m. local time — 11 a.m. in Paris — to watch the long-anticipated announcement on a livestream.
Utah's capital city was the only candidate for 2034 after the Olympic committee gave Salt Lake City exclusive negotiating rights last year.
Climate change and high operational costs have reduced the number of cities willing and able to welcome the Winter Games.
Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said Salt Lake City would be a prime candidate for such a plan.

Salt Lake City celebrates announcement that it will host the 2034 Winter Olympics