On Your Mark: Exploring Olympic Stories & Spirit | Inside the Rings Blog

The Paris Olympic Rings

Welcome to my corner of the Olympic world.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the Olympic Games—not just the dazzling moments of athletic greatness, but the stories behind the medals. The grit of the underdog. The quiet strength of the coach who believed. The family who sacrificed for a dream. The city that rose to the occasion. The global spirit that somehow feels deeply personal.

I’m launching this blog as an invitation to join me on a journey—not just to celebrate the Games, but to understand the human stories and values that make the Olympics unlike anything else on Earth.

My Olympic path has been a uniquely local one. I live in Utah, a state with a proud Olympic past and an exciting future. I currently serve as a member of the Utah House of Representatives, where I have the privilege of chairing the Olympic Coordinating Committee. In that role, I’m responsible for guiding Olympic-related legislation as our state prepares to welcome the world once again. I'm also honored to serve on the Steering Committee for the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, helping lead the charge to bring the Winter Games back to Utah in 2034.

But long before these titles and committees, I was just a kid in Provo watching the Olympics with wide eyes—cheering for Team USA, marveling at athletes from countries I’d never heard of, and dreaming big.

This blog is a place where those dreams meet reality. Where Olympic policy meets Olympic passion. Where behind-the-scenes preparation intersects with timeless Olympic ideals like excellence, respect, and friendship.

Over the months ahead, I’ll be sharing stories from athletes past and present, insights into Utah’s Olympic legacy and future, and reflections on how the Olympic Movement can inspire us all—whether we’re athletes, fans, or simply believers in what the Games represent.

You’ll hear about what it takes to build an Olympic city. How legislation shapes the path to hosting. What we can learn from Olympic families, coaches, and communities. And why the Olympic spirit still matters in a divided world.

At the heart of this blog is a belief: that the Olympics are more than a sporting event. They’re a story we’re all part of.

Thanks for being here at the beginning. I can’t wait to share this journey with you—and to help bring the Olympic flame a little closer to home.

Let the Games begin.