The Church of Jesus Christ welcomes the President of the International Olympic Committee

Several leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were pleased to welcome 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.

Bach was accompanied by IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi. A delegation for the 2034 Winter Olympics 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 chairwoman 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 and General Authority Emeritus Elder Donald L. Hallstrom.

“No one will support these Olympics more than we do,” said President Holland. “We are happy to contribute in any way we can. We want you to feel like there is no place in the United States – or on this planet – more welcoming than here.”

Church leaders emphasized how valuable the spirit of volunteerism in Utah will be for the 2034 Games, just as it was at the 2002 Winter Olympics. They also noted that having former missionaries who speak many languages ​​and each other is an added blessing to advocate for the countries in which they have 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 volunteer work. It's about a global world. It's about peace. So it’s no surprise to me that we get along.”

Mayor Mendenhall added that more than 100 languages ​​are spoken in the Salt Lake City School District alone.

Church leaders presented Bach with a four-generation map 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 won the bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, the First Presidency celebrated the news.

“We stand ready to support the 2034 Winter Olympics by welcoming athletes, volunteers and visitors from around the world,” the First Presidency statement said. “The Church is committed to efforts to make Salt Lake a host city that embodies the values ​​of service, collaboration and mutual respect. As the home of the Church’s international headquarters, we will work with organizers locally and internationally to welcome the world in 2034.”