Lindsey Vonn plans to make Salt Lake City’s 2034 Olympics better for athletes’ families

Lindsey Vonn, the renowned alpine ski racer, is working to improve the Olympic experience for athletes’ families as part of Salt Lake City’s successful bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics. Drawing on her personal experiences from previous games, including the 2018 Olympics in South Korea where her family

faced long commutes to watch her compete, Vonn is advocating for better accommodations and support for athletes’ loved ones. Her vision includes a dedicated family village near the athlete housing, offering logistical services such as transportation, ticketing, and translation. This effort, led alongside seven-time Paralympian Chris Waddell, aims to ease the challenges athletes and their families often face.

Vonn, who won a gold and two bronze medals in her Olympic career, is now focused on making the upcoming Salt Lake City Games a family-friendly event. The organizing committee plans to house athletes and their families close to the competition venues, emphasizing convenience and support. The proposed family village on the University of Utah campus will allow families to stay near their athletes while they compete.

Vonn, now residing in northern Utah, is passionate about creating a welcoming environment for athletes and their families and hopes this new initiative will set a precedent for future Olympic Games.