Olympians Visit Salt Lake City School to Inspire Students Ahead of 2034 Winter Games

With the Winter Olympics set to return to Utah in 2034, a group of fourth graders in Salt Lake City received some firsthand inspiration from athletes who have already competed on the world stage.

Three Olympians — Doug Lewis, Tristan Gale and Chris Mazdzer — visited students at Guadalupe School to share stories of perseverance, discipline and chasing big goals.

Lewis, who competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, told students that success begins from within. He emphasized that becoming an Olympian isn’t about instant talent, but about lighting a fire inside and committing to the work required to reach a dream.

Gale, who won gold in skeleton at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, reminded students that growing up in Utah offers unique access to world-class winter sports venues — giving young athletes the chance to try skiing, skating, luge and more close to home.

Mazdzer shared his own history-making moment, earning silver in men’s luge in 2018 and becoming the only non-European man to medal in that event. His message was simple: Olympians can come from anywhere.

Physical education teacher Amber Rigdon said she wanted her students to understand that elite athletes don’t achieve greatness overnight — they train for years.

The lesson clearly resonated. When asked how hard someone must work to win a gold medal, one student answered with a single word: “Years.”

As Utah prepares to host the Winter Games again, these young students may be among those inspired to someday represent their hometown on the Olympic stage.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.