“These venues carry on the prolific 2002 legacy that continues to benefit the state of Utah and its people today,” Bullock said.

Hundreds of Utahans watched the announcement on big screen TVs at Washington Square Park and broke into wild cheers when the vote and announcement was made before dawn at 4:22 a.m. MDT.

A cauldron was lit at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah to mark the games’ return.

“It’s a once in a generation opportunity,” said Visit Salt Lake  President and CEO