Confetti shoots from the Salt Lake City and County Building after Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave remarks to the crowd in Utah during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Aaron Shill

By Aaron Shill

Aaron Shill is the managing editor of the Deseret News.

The International Olympic Committee made it official Wednesday. The Winter Olympics are headed back to Salt Lake City.

While Utah’s delegation made its final pitch before the IOC vote in Paris for the 2034 Winter Games, a crowd was gathering in Washington Square awaiting the announcement.

The decision came in at 4:21 a.m. MDT.

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Deseret News videographers and photojournalists were there to capture the historic moment when Utah was awarded the Winter Games for the second time.

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Confetti shoots from the Salt Lake City and County Building after Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave remarks to the crowd in Utah during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gives remarks to the crowd in Utah during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Confetti shoots from the Salt Lake City and County Building after Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave remarks during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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The Olympic rings and a banner are displayed after a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Confetti shoots from the Salt Lake City and County Building after Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave remarks during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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The Olympic rings and a banner are displayed after a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Olympian Trace Worthington speaks during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. Worthington competed in freestyle skiing in the 1992 and 1994 Olympics. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Rita Peni, 6, left and Shirley Peni, 8, center, cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Jacob Winn, from Ogden, cheers and waves a flag during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The Olympic Cauldron is lighted during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees pose for a photo during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Jillian Highfill, 20, from Park City, left, Sami Worthington, 20, from park city, center left, Hanna Faulhaber,19, from Aspen Colorado, center right and Izzy Worthington,17, from Park City, right, all cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Regan Christiansen, from Ogden, center left and Madeline Waters, from Logan, center right, cheer with other attendees during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees gather for a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Lisa Smith waves a Olympic flag during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees pose with the Olympic rings during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Brad Winn, front right, cheers with other attendees during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Izzy Gustafson, of South Jordan, cheers during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Attendees bounce a beach ball during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Sariah Gessel, of Riverton, uses her phone before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Sue Kelley hands out flags before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Jen Ahana, of Park City, looks to a screen before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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The live stream is reflected in Ella Buckalew’s glasses as she watches with other attendees during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games to the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee during a live watch party held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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From left, sisters Maya, 13, and Eliana, 15, pose for a photo with their mother Jordan Anderson before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Attendees cheer during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Jason D’Richards, of Salt Lake City, sports a flag in his hat during a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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George Zinn, left, and Jim Santangelo, both of Salt Lake City, watch a movie before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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From left, sisters Maya, 13, and Eliana, 15, pose for a photo with their mother Jordan Anderson before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Garrett Hunt, of Holladay, waves flags before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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Rebecca Smith, 12, of Pocatello, Idaho, uses her phone before a live watch party for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee’s 2034 Winter Olympics bid held at the Salt Lake City and County Building in Washington Square Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in downtown Salt Lake City. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
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