‘Such an honor’: Ski champion Lindsey Vonn helps to bring the 2034 Olympics home to the U.S.

PARIS (ABC4) — Lindsey Vonn, one of the most decorated alpine skiers of her generation, was only 17 when she competed at her first Winter Olympics in 2002. The location was Salt Lake City, and she strove to compete there as soon as it was declared.

On Wednesday, at age 39, Vonn leaped with enthusiasm before a crowd in Paris after the International Olympic Committee announced the Winter Games were returning to Utah’s capital in 2034.

“This is probably the most excited I’ve been since I retired from ski racing,” she told ABC4.

Let the Games begin: The Salt Lake City 2034 Olympics by the numbers

Vonn was part of Utah’s bid committee, which included Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Photos from the event showed Vonn wiping away tears after it was confirmed the Winter Olympics were returning to U.S. soil.

“To be on the other side of it is such an honor, because I know how many people and kids are exactly the same as I was,” she said. “I hope we see a lot of Utahns in 2034 because of it.”

Vonn thanked all the Utahns who gathered at 3 a.m. in downtown Salt Lake City to celebrate what was a long-anticipated announcement. The Utah city was the only candidate for 2034 after the committee gave Salt Lake exclusive negotiating rights.

“I know it’s been a long run-up … but we did it,” Vonn said. “Now we’ll bring the games home to Salt Lake, and it’s going to be insane.”

Vonn, originally from Minnesota, competed in four Olympic Games, winning gold for downhill racing in Vancouver in 2010. Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019