Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker made the announcement as the city celebrates the 10-year anniversary of staging the 2002 Winter Games. The committee is set to study the cost of a potential bid and what other repercussions might be anticipated. “We need to look at what the real costs would be of upgrading facilities, putting a bid together...and what other competitors are out there,” Ally Isom, the Governor’s spokeswoman, told the Salt Lake City Tribune. “This is meant to be a small group to advise the Governor on whether we should pursue a bid.”

The group will be led by Becker, Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell and Steven Price, the chairman of the Utah Sports Commission. Herbert said he foresees any future bid being privately financed, although Bell added the committee would not rule out a possible public-private partnership.

“As we explore the possibility of again hosting the Olympic Winter Games there is no predetermined recommendation,” said Bell. “We believe an investment of meaningful time and effort is worthwhile to make the right decision - not only for Salt Lake City, but for all of Utah.”