The Salt Lake City-Utah Olympic Games Committee announced is expanding its board as it focuses on a bid to bring back the Games in 2030 or 2034.
The committee on Wednesday named four-time Olympian Catherine Raney Norman, 40, as its new chair. The committee also named two highly decorated athletes and Park City residents – long-time local Ted Ligety and newcomer Lindsey Vonn - as new board members.
During the announcement, Gov Cox said Raney Norman’s move to the leadership position signaled that bringing the games back to Utah in 2030 or 2034 is a high priority for the state.
"As great as she was as an athlete, she's an even better human being," Cox said. "And I promise you that this move will be noted around the world and undoubtedly make our bid more competitive."
Raney Norman said the addition of 10 more athletes to the committee’s strategic and governing boards will strengthen the boards’ abilities to represent both athletes and Utah communities. She added that since joining the community she’s focused on increasing its diversity.
"We are extremely proud to share we have 42% female representation amongst our athletes council," Raney Norman said. "We have 27% paralympic representation on our council. And we have 57% of athletes that identify with diverse and inclusive backgrounds, and I think that is just a tremendous step forward and you know, adding these 10 athletes onto the governing and strategic boards will only make our efforts that much stronger."
In addition to Raney Norman’s new role, Cox announced that Steve Starks, chief executive of the Larry H. Miller group, will serve as vice chair and Olympic and Paralympic advisor to the governor’s office.
This will be Salt Lake City’s sixth bid to host the Olympics.