The 2034 Winter Olympics are poised to become one of the most consequential events of our era—a proving ground not just for athletes, but for the resilience, ingenuity, and foresight of Salt Lake City. This moment transcends sport; it demands a recalibration of how we approach global challenges, technological advancement, and cultural perception. For Silicon Slopes, this is an opportunity to redefine itself as a hub of bold innovation and enduring impact. The stakes extend far beyond the Games: the future of Utah’s identity as a global leader hangs in the balance.
Reflecting on the triumphs of 2002, the struggles facing Paris in 2024, and the possibilities presented by Los Angeles in 2028, Salt Lake City is at a crossroads. Lessons from history and emerging challenges compel the city to take decisive action. It must not only address the gaps of the past but build a blueprint for cities of the future—a model of inclusivity, resilience, and global relevance.
Lessons from 2002: Addressing the Legacy Gaps
The 2002 Winter Olympics were hailed as a logistical and operational triumph, with Salt Lake City seamlessly managing over 2,300 athletes from 77 nations. Its well-coordinated transportation systems, such as the Olympic shuttle routes, and the successful integration of venues into the city’s infrastructure showcased a meticulous attention to detail. This achievement not only elevated the city’s visibility but also positioned Utah as a capable host for global events, demonstrating the region’s organizational prowess on an international stage.
However, those Games operated in a vastly different landscape—one where cybersecurity was in its infancy, IoT devices were the realm of science fiction, and society was not yet bound by the seamless connectivity we now take for granted. For example, security strategies in 2002 focused heavily on physical threats, with minimal regard for digital vulnerabilities that are now considered critical.
Today, a single cyberattack on an IoT-connected transportation system could create disruptions far beyond the scope of what was imaginable two decades ago. While the successes of 2002 are worth celebrating, they also revealed gaps that remain unresolved, such as the city’s heavy reliance on federal security support. For instance, while federal agencies successfully managed post-9/11 threats during the Games, local systems lacked the autonomy and resilience to operate independently. This dependency underscored a critical need for Salt Lake City to cultivate self-sufficient security measures—a challenge that persists today in the face of evolving adversarial threats.
- Over-Reliance on Federal Support: Security operations depended heavily on federal agencies, with local systems lacking the resilience to operate independently. For example, over 10,000 federal personnel, including FBI agents and National Guard members, were deployed to manage security during the Games, highlighting the city’s reliance on external support. This dependence underscored the need for Salt Lake City to develop robust, self-sufficient security protocols for future events.
- Underdeveloped Cybersecurity Protocols: The focus was overwhelmingly on physical safety, leaving digital vulnerabilities unaddressed.
- One-Time Infrastructure Investment: Much of the infrastructure built for 2002 served the event well but was not designed for long-term relevance or adaptability.
As we approach 2034, these issues have only become more complex. Cybersecurity threats are more sophisticated, adversaries more resourceful, and global scrutiny more intense. For example, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, cyberattacks targeted ticketing systems, transportation schedules, and even the event’s opening ceremony, highlighting the vulnerability of interconnected systems to nation-state and opportunistic actors.
These incidents underscore the critical need for Salt Lake City to anticipate and mitigate such threats in an era where digital infrastructure is as integral as physical venues. It is no longer enough to merely repeat the successes of 2002—Salt Lake City must surpass them.
The Global Context: Shaping a Vision Beyond Utah
The transition from Los Angeles in 2028 to Salt Lake City in 2034 symbolizes a unique moment for the United States to showcase technological and cultural leadership. This continuity provides an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate a unified approach to global challenges, including resilience against cyber threats, equitable inclusivity, and the seamless integration of innovation into public life. As these two host cities navigate the complexities of modern Olympics, they inherit lessons from past successes and struggles—each shaping a roadmap for the future.
Hosting the Olympics back-to-back in Los Angeles (2028) and Salt Lake City (2034) presents unique challenges and opportunities. These Games will be a litmus test for America’s ability to demonstrate resilience and innovation globally. However, recent events—from geopolitical tensions to controversies surrounding inclusivity—highlight the pitfalls that must be avoided.
Paris 2024: Struggles and Innovations
The Paris 2024 Olympics highlight both the pitfalls and potential of hosting a modern global event. While labor strikes, infrastructure delays, and cyberattacks have revealed vulnerabilities, Paris has also emerged as a pioneer in technological innovation and collaboration. Salt Lake City can learn from Paris’ challenges by addressing similar risks preemptively, but it should also draw inspiration from the strategies that succeeded.
Paris has already faced scrutiny over its preparations for the 2024 Games, from labor strikes to concerns about infrastructure readiness. Cyberattacks targeting public systems and misinformation campaigns designed to exploit societal divides illustrate the sophistication of modern threats. For example, coordinated attacks on Paris’ ticketing platforms and transit systems exposed weaknesses in interconnected infrastructure, eroding public trust. Salt Lake City must internalize these lessons by prioritizing proactive measures:
- Digital Resilience: Conducting red-teaming exercises to identify vulnerabilities in critical systems.
- Unified Messaging: Countering misinformation with coordinated narratives that emphasize inclusivity and community.
- Community Involvement: Engaging local groups to build trust and ownership of the event.
Yet, Paris’ innovations demonstrate what is possible when public and private sectors align toward a common goal. Their approach offers a model worth emulating:
- Collaboration Model: The French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) partnered with Thales Group, combining public oversight with private innovation to develop an AI-driven security framework.
- Proactive Measures: Paris conducted simulated cyberattacks on its smart traffic systems, addressing vulnerabilities before adversaries could exploit them.
- Real-Time Threat Detection: Leveraging advanced AI, Paris implemented systems that hardened IoT devices and safeguarded critical infrastructure like transportation and venue operations.
These foresights not only protected physical systems but also reinforced public confidence in the city’s preparedness. Salt Lake City has an opportunity to build on these successes while addressing unique local challenges.
LA 2028: Partnering for Progress
The lessons and collaborations from Los Angeles lead directly into the challenges facing Silicon Slopes, offering a framework for Utah to leverage as it prepares for its moment in the global spotlight. LA’s approach to integrating advanced infrastructure and fostering public-private partnerships can inspire a Silicon Slopes narrative that moves beyond promises to tangible, sustained performance.
Proximity to the Los Angeles Games offers a unique collaborative opportunity. Salt Lake City and LA have the opportunity to forge a transformative partnership that elevates both cities as leaders in event security and innovation. Potential collaborations include:
- Joint Security Drills: Simulating scenarios that test both cities’ resilience to cyber and physical threats.
- Shared Infrastructure Models: Adapting successful LA strategies for transportation, public safety, and smart city integration.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Leveraging national and international expertise to address common challenges.
This focus on collaboration naturally transitions to Silicon Slopes, a region uniquely positioned to take these lessons and transform them into a narrative of sustained innovation and leadership. With its burgeoning tech ecosystem, Silicon Slopes has the potential to become not just a participant in global progress, but a driver of it.
Silicon Slopes: From Promise to Performance
For years, Silicon Slopes has been heralded as a burgeoning tech ecosystem—a potential rival to established giants like Silicon Valley. Yet this promise comes with challenges that cast doubt on its ability to fulfill its potential, particularly as Salt Lake City prepares for the global stage of the 2034 Winter Olympics. Perception issues persist, with critics citing Utah’s conservative culture and perceived lack of inclusivity as barriers to attracting and retaining top-tier talent. Compounding these challenges, investors remain hesitant, questioning whether Silicon Slopes can sustain innovation beyond the immediate demands of the Games.
The stakes are clear: without addressing these concerns, Silicon Slopes risks being overshadowed by competitors who better blend talent, vision, and investment. However, the 2034 Olympics provide a unique opportunity—not merely to overcome these obstacles, but to reimagine what a tech hub can achieve when it aligns local potential with global ambition.
Overcoming Perception Challenges
To shift its narrative, Silicon Slopes must embrace a more inclusive and forward-thinking identity that resonates beyond Utah’s borders. Success will require intentional, systemic changes, including:
- Expanding the Narrative: Break free from regional stereotypes by amplifying stories of the diverse talent and ideas already thriving in Utah. Highlighting innovators and leaders who defy expectations will help reshape how Silicon Slopes is perceived.
- Engaging Global Stakeholders: Actively invite collaboration with out-of-state and international partners. By framing Salt Lake City as a nexus for global innovation, Silicon Slopes can attract long-term partnerships that drive sustained growth.
- Reinvesting in Community: Use the Olympics as a platform to channel resources into education, cultural initiatives, and workforce development. This not only ensures immediate benefits but creates a foundation for lasting prosperity that extends far beyond 2034.
Addressing Talent Drain
While Utah boasts an impressive pool of skilled professionals, many are drawn away by opportunities in more established hubs. The Olympics must serve as a catalyst for retaining and maximizing this talent, with initiatives such as:
- Building New Companies: Encourage investors to back startups that directly address Olympic-specific challenges, such as IoT security, advanced analytics for event management, and smart transportation systems. These ventures can create a legacy of innovation that persists long after the Games.
- Scaling Talent Pipelines: Forge stronger partnerships with local universities, technical programs, and bootcamps to equip the next generation of leaders with cutting-edge skills tailored to emerging industry demands.
- Attracting Visionary Investors: Silicon Slopes must inspire bold investment from figures like Elon Musk or global powerhouses such as Alphabet. By showcasing the region’s capacity to transform Olympic innovation into long-term opportunity, these partnerships can redefine Utah’s economic future.
This transformative vision for Silicon Slopes—a region that not only rises to meet Olympic demands but thrives in their aftermath—sets the stage for the next section’s exploration of infrastructure. The ability to execute this vision hinges on creating systems as adaptable and resilient as the people who will power them.
Building Resilience Across Critical Systems
The infrastructure supporting the 2034 Winter Olympics must do more than sustain the weight of global expectations—it must anticipate and adapt to the complexities of a hyper-connected world. From the intricacies of IoT ecosystems to the challenges of securing critical urban operations, Salt Lake City faces a rare opportunity to lead by example. Resilience is not merely a technical ambition; it is the foundation of trust, ensuring safety and efficiency while setting a precedent for cities worldwide.
To achieve this, Salt Lake City must focus on three pillars of innovation:
Cyber-Physical Systems
IoT devices managing essential operations such as traffic flow, utilities, and public safety are both assets and vulnerabilities. To fortify these systems, Salt Lake City must:
- Implement Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous oversight to detect and neutralize threats before they escalate.
- Enhance Encryption Standards: Safeguarding data exchanges within IoT networks to prevent breaches.
- Integrate Redundancies: Designing systems to ensure localized failures do not cascade into broader disruptions.
Data Redundancy and Fail-Safes
Uninterrupted operations during unforeseen events demand robust safeguards:
- Decentralized Data Storage: Distributing critical information across multiple nodes to avoid single points of failure.
- Fail-Safe Mechanisms: Automated backup systems to maintain functionality in critical sectors, even during disruptions.
Sustainable and Scalable Solutions
Salt Lake City’s investments must endure beyond the Games, supporting long-term growth and environmental responsibility:
- Smart Energy Grids: Leveraging renewable energy to meet fluctuating demands with efficiency.
- Modular Infrastructure: Adaptable systems that can evolve with the city’s needs while minimizing environmental impact.
Transitioning to Action and Legacy
The infrastructure Salt Lake City develops today will resonate far beyond the closing ceremonies of 2034. It is a chance to set an enduring standard for resilience and adaptability, creating a model that inspires cities around the globe. But vision alone is not enough. Execution requires decisive leadership, bold collaboration, and a willingness to embrace innovation—themes explored in the next section:
I see where the confusion might stem from. The section headings and content may be overlapping or redundant in presenting local leaders and their companies’ roles. Let’s simplify and structure it better to enhance clarity and avoid repetition. Here’s how:
Proposed New Structure
Local Leaders and Companies: A Catalyst for Transformation
This will combine the “Elevating Local Leaders and Companies” and “Local Companies Taking the Lead” sections into a single, cohesive introduction to the companies and their leaders. It will highlight their collective role, with a short paragraph calling out leaders like Ryan Smith, Todd Pedersen, and Aaron Skonnard, before smoothly transitioning to individual company contributions.
Local Companies Taking the Lead
Keep this section focused on the specific contributions of each company (Qualtrics, Vivint, Pluralsight), showing how their work directly aligns with Olympic goals. Integrate the encouragement for collaboration with national and international partners within each company’s subsection, ensuring it’s woven naturally.
Encouraging Broader Collaboration
Transition into this section by emphasizing the need for these companies and leaders to break down silos and work together—not just locally but with global entities. Reinforce the idea that the Olympics represent a collaborative milestone, not just a showcase for individual success.
Revised Section Draft
Local Leaders and Companies: A Catalyst for Transformation
Salt Lake City’s potential to shine on the global stage during the 2034 Winter Olympics depends on the vision and leadership of its most influential figures and organizations. Leaders like Ryan Smith of Qualtrics, Todd Pedersen of Vivint, and Aaron Skonnard of Pluralsight embody the innovative ethos of Silicon Slopes. Their success stories are rooted in Utah, but the time has come to reinvest their expertise and influence to ensure their community thrives in this pivotal moment.
These leaders and their companies are not just participants in Utah’s growth—they are architects of its future. The question is whether they will seize this opportunity to lead boldly, collaborate openly, and redefine Salt Lake City’s role in the global innovation ecosystem. The transformation begins with their companies stepping up to address the demands of the Games.
Local Companies Taking the Lead
Qualtrics: Shaping the Olympic Experience Through Data
As a leader in experience management, Qualtrics has the tools to optimize every facet of the Games. Collaborating with partners like Splunk, Qualtrics could design platforms to analyze and improve transportation efficiency, crowd flow, and public sentiment. These systems would not only enhance the Games but also set a precedent for data-driven city management.
Vivint: Securing Smart Infrastructure
Vivint’s expertise in IoT and security makes it indispensable in protecting the interconnected systems powering the Olympics. By working with cybersecurity leaders such as Palo Alto Networks or CrowdStrike, Vivint can create robust defenses against threats to public safety and utilities. Knowledge-sharing alliances like ISACs would further enhance its capabilities and broaden its global influence.
Pluralsight: Building the Talent Pipeline
Pluralsight’s focus on education positions it to address one of Utah’s most pressing challenges: preparing a workforce for the future. By collaborating with global leaders like AWS or Microsoft, Pluralsight can scale its training programs to equip local professionals with critical skills in AI, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management. Breaking down silos within Utah’s talent pool would ensure the region remains competitive beyond the Olympics.
Encouraging Broader Collaboration
The success of the 2034 Winter Olympics depends on breaking down barriers—both within Utah’s ecosystem and between local and global entities. Companies and leaders must embrace collaboration at every level:
- Cross-Industry Partnerships: Building alliances with global tech leaders to strengthen capabilities and innovation.
- Knowledge-Sharing Networks: Joining groups like ISACs to access cutting-edge intelligence and ensure robust security systems.
- Community Engagement: Actively involving local communities in planning and preparation to create shared ownership of the Games’ success.
This is a moment of reckoning for Silicon Slopes. Will its leaders and companies step forward, recognizing the collective responsibility to innovate, share, and grow? Or will they remain isolated, failing to see the power of collaboration? The success of the 2034 Winter Olympics—and Utah’s future as a tech leader—depends on their answer.
A Call to Action: Redefining Salt Lake City’s Legacy
The 2034 Winter Olympics are more than a global sporting event—they are a defining moment for Salt Lake City to demonstrate its capacity for leadership, innovation, and resilience. The Games present an unparalleled opportunity to inspire progress, mobilize communities, and establish a legacy that extends far beyond the Olympic flame’s final flicker.
What Must Be Done
To ensure the Games deliver lasting impact, Salt Lake City must adopt a bold, forward-thinking approach centered on five key pillars:
Cultivate Local Leadership
Empower Utah’s burgeoning tech ecosystem to lead in areas such as cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience, and urban innovation. This requires fostering partnerships between government, industry, and educational institutions to train and equip the next generation of leaders.
Foster Collaboration
Partner with Los Angeles, federal agencies, and international stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and align on strategies for both cyber and physical security. Collaboration ensures cohesive planning and execution, creating a unified standard of excellence.
Engage Communities
Build trust by actively involving local groups in Olympic preparations. Public forums, educational programs, and transparent communication can transform residents from passive observers to active participants, fostering a shared sense of ownership.
Commit to Sustainability
Design solutions that endure beyond the Games. By prioritizing renewable energy, sustainable urban planning, and scalable infrastructure, Salt Lake City can ensure that investments made today benefit future generations.
Control the Narrative
Proactively address cultural perceptions and highlight Salt Lake City’s evolution into an inclusive, forward-thinking hub. A compelling narrative, amplified by strategic media engagement, can redefine how the city is perceived globally.
A Legacy Worth Building
The world will be watching as the snow begins to fall in 2034, eager to witness not just the spectacle of the Winter Olympics but the transformation of Salt Lake City into a global leader. This is more than a moment of celebration. It is a moment of truth—a test of whether local leaders and organizations can rise to meet the demands of innovation, collaboration, and resilience.
Figures like Ryan Smith, Todd Pedersen, and Aaron Skonnard have built companies that exemplify the spirit of Silicon Slopes, yet the legacy they leave will depend on how they act now. Will they foster collaboration, share knowledge, and commit to building a stronger, more inclusive community? Or will they retreat into silos, failing to realize the power of collective effort? Their choices will not only define Salt Lake City’s success but will ripple across industries and cities worldwide.
Salt Lake City has the opportunity to redefine what it means to host a modern Olympics. By embracing sustainability, investing in community, and partnering with global innovators, the city can set a new benchmark for how urban centers navigate the challenges of an interconnected age. This is not just about securing a moment in history—it’s about shaping the future.
The time to act is now. The 2034 Winter Olympics must be remembered not only for their brilliance but for the transformation they inspired in Salt Lake City. A transformation that empowered its leaders, galvanized its people, and redefined its place on the global stage. The snow may melt, but the legacy will endure.
Author’s Note
This article is an independent commentary and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the companies or individuals mentioned. The views expressed are solely those of the author and are intended to inspire reflection and informed discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing Salt Lake City in preparation for the 2034 Winter Olympics.