By james art 
Sam Watson’s speed mountaineer wore his bronze medal from the summer games in 2024 over a suit and tie to be honored in Utah’s legislation on Wednesday, along with other Olympic and Paralympic athletes with connections of Utah who competed in Paris.
Without a medal around his neck, a student at the University of Utah, who grew up in Texas, could be mistaken for a legislative trainee, instead of the highest-ranked world record holder who sees the state where the US climbing is headquartered from 2018. Like the perfect place to train.
Utah fights her weight class in terms of sports achievements and athletics and builds this type of culture, “Watson told reporters after recognition ceremonies, citing state winter games in 2002 and again in 2034.
“The creation of an inheritance in the community of athletes throughout the country can definitely affect the games of 2034,” he said, through “inspiring others and showing the fact that Utah can be a serious place for training and a possible host At the Olympics for the second time. “
College of Olympic Mountaineer and Utah University Student Zack Hammer of Michigan, dressed more in a polo shirt of the US team, is also excited that the winter games of 2034 come to his adopted home country.
“The climbers from all over the way are flowing here to train with everyone else, because this is the classic saying:” You want to be the best, train with the best. ” So now it’s really like the case here, “Hamer said.
“The fact that it will keep the snowball, I can’t wait,” he said. “When the games come here, we hope until then, the athletes here will have built up to so much, the energy for the games will be incredible.”
Watson and Hammer, along with the Olympic speed climber, Piper Kelly, Heptale Harry Hawkins, diver Emilia Nilson Garip, a student in the United States who competes in Paris for Sweden, and the Paralympic discussion champion David Blair, and received the house S
Calling them “remarkable group of athletes,” reporter John Hawkins, R-Plaesant Grove, told the house that they represent a jute in Paris games as a long-time hub for elite workouts. Our universities and communities continue to shape some of the best world competitors. “
Their “achievements show Utah’s heritage for high athletics achievements,” Hawkins said with 22 Olympians and Paralympics in the 2024 summer games, attending a college in Utah, eight have grown up in the state and seven currently live and train here.
Blair, a competitor in three Paralympic Games, starting with the 2016 summer matches in Rio de Janeiro, who also shared one of his Paralympic medals in Capitol, astonishing their successes.
“It’s crazy to think that the planet’s athletic story is violated by Utah athletes. This is remarkable, honestly, “he said, adding,” How is this possible? It must be the mountain. Or something, right? There is something in the air. “
Born and raised in Davis County and now lives in the Orel Mountain, Blair said Utah is a “great place that supports you.”
Chari Hawkins, who grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, but now lives in Heriman, said he was training for decades to compete in his first 33 Olympics in the Seven Runners, throwing and jumping events at the Heptalon.
The lesson is to “just keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter where you are coming from. You can really do anything if you hold your mind to it, “she said. “I am really grateful that we will show Utah, show yourself for yourself and be surprised what you can achieve.”
This is a message that can be enhanced by another winter games in the state.
“When I was in Paris, the vibrations of the Olympics are so exciting,” she said. “Even if you do not compete, there is something to be in the energy of the Olympics. It’s so exciting that we have the opportunity to return it to Utah. “
