PARIS, France — The 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris is on Friday. It is a global celebration of athletic prowess and international unity and has a storied history in the United States.
The most recent occasion the United States hosted the Olympics was in 2002.
Key points:
- Last held in the USA:
- 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah
- 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta
- Next scheduled in the USA:
- 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California
- 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah
The 2002 Winter Olympics took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, from February 8 to February 24, 2002. The games featured 2,399 athletes from 77 teams competing in 78 events.
The 2002 games were notable for their security measures, being the first Olympics held after the September 11 attacks. Despite these challenges, the games were a resounding success, showcasing memorable performances such as the United States' surprising victory in the men's skeleton and the controversy surrounding figure skating judging, which led to changes in the scoring system.
Looking Ahead: 2028 Summer Olympics
The United States is set to host the Olympics again, with the 2028 Summer Games scheduled in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles, which previously hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, will be the third city in history to host the games three times.
Salt Lake City to Host 2034 Winter Olympics
In addition to the 2028 Summer Olympics, Salt Lake City has won the bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics. This will make Salt Lake City a two-time host city for the Winter Games.