At the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, we believe the Olympic Games are more than a two-
week event. They leave behind world-class venues and a responsibility to ensure those venues
continue to serve both Utahns and visitors from around the globe. Since 2002, our work has
focused on turning that responsibility into opportunity—creating spaces that strengthen our
economy, elevate sport, and enrich communities.

Today, the Utah Olympic Oval, Utah Olympic Park, and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center stand as
living examples of what an Olympic legacy can mean. These venues are not only training
grounds for elite athletes but also community hubs where families skate, children learn to ski,
and volunteers come together to support local and international events. We are proud that these
spaces are as vital today as they were when the Olympic flame first lit them more than two
decades ago.

The impact is clear. According to a recent study by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, our
work combined with visitor spending at the venues supports over 1,000 jobs, generates
seventy-eight million dollars in annual GDP, and contributes one hundred thirty-two million
dollars in overall industry output each year. Visitors to our venues spent nearly twelve million
dollars in 2023, fueling local businesses in accommodations, food, transportation, and
recreation. These numbers remind us that preserving Utah’s Olympic legacy is not just about
sport—it is also about sustaining livelihoods and strengthening Utah’s economy.

The community benefits extend well beyond economics. In fiscal year 2023, our venues hosted
more than 140,000 athlete training days and welcomed over 90,000 out-of-state visitors. At the
same time, our programs and events provided opportunities for Utahns of all ages and abilities
to connect, play, and grow. Whether it is a child discovering a love for sport, a family attending a
community event, or volunteers working side by side, these experiences are at the heart of our
mission.

As we prepare for the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2034, we remain
committed to ensuring Utah’s venues are ready for the world stage while staying rooted in
community. Our legacy is not only about maintaining facilities; it is about making them vibrant,
accessible, and impactful for generations to come.

The Games may come once every few decades, but the legacy lives on every day—and it is our
honor to carry it forward.

At the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF), our mission goes beyond maintaining world-class Olympic venues. We are dedicated to building healthier, stronger communities through our Healthy Communities program. It is our mission to connect youth across Utah with opportunities to participate in sports, discover their potential, and develop lifelong habits of activity and wellness. We believe that every child deserves the chance to play, grow, and thrive through sport. 

This week, as our neighbors at Park City High School celebrate Homecoming, we are reminded of the central role sports play in bringing young people, families, and communities together. From the Friday night lights to Olympic ice and snow, sport unites us, teaches life lessons, and creates lasting opportunities for health and growth. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight the many proven benefits of youth sports. 

This belief aligns closely with the National Youth Sports Strategy, which aims to unite U.S. youth sports culture around a shared vision: that one day, all youth will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports—no matter their race, gender, ability, or ZIP code. 

But why does youth sports access matter so much? Research shows that participating in sports delivers benefits that extend far beyond the field. These benefits touch every part of life—mental and physical health, academics and careers, lifelong habits, and even our communities and economy. 

Stronger Minds, Healthier Hearts 

Parents already know the value of sports. In fact, 73% of parents believe sports improve their child’s mental health, and the data proves them right. A 2022 report from the U.S. President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition found that youth sports participation is linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression, less stress, higher self-esteem, reduced suicidal thoughts, and lower substance use.  

Recent studies confirm these benefits. Children involved in team sports report about a 10% lower rate of anxious or depressed symptoms and a 19% lower rate of withdrawal and depression compared to non-athletes. Another large study published in BMJ found that organized sports can reduce the risk of anxiety by 14%–21% and depression by 19–35%, for boys and girls. Kids who stay engaged in sports are also less likely to experiment with risky behaviors like tobacco and drug use. 

For children with disabilities, the benefits are equally powerful. Adaptive and inclusive sports have been shown to improve emotional well-being, social connection, and life satisfaction  

On the physical side, 88% of parents recognize the health benefits of youth sports. The evidence backs them up: regular participation supports a healthy weight, stronger bones, and better cardiovascular fitness, while also lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Studies even show that active youth are 20% less likely to be overweight or obese than their peers. It goes without question that kids who play sports are more active, healthier, and enjoy a better quality of life in their youth and into adulthood. 

Better Students, Stronger Leaders 

Sports do not just shape athletes; they shape scholars and leaders. A study of over 4,200 students found that kids who regularly participate in sports tend to test better, have higher school attendance, and have a greater likelihood of being accepted into university. 

Sports also instill critical life skills like time management, discipline, and goal setting. An Ohio State University study found that 34% of youth who played organized sports scored high on “grit”—a measure of resilience and perseverance—compared to 23% of non-participants. These are the very traits that translate into leadership, in the classroom and later in careers and communities. 

Building Skills for School and Career 

Sports provide life lessons that reach far beyond the game. More than 50% of parents believe sports benefit their child academically, and 80% say sports instill discipline, dedication, and teamwork. 

The evidence is clear: sports participation is linked to stronger social skills, leadership qualities, and academic achievement. High school athletes are more likely to graduate, attend college, and persist through higher education. They also report higher levels of perseverance and problem-solving, skills that prepare them for success in every aspect of life. 

Sports also cultivate leadership in measurable ways. Research by the NCAA and Gallup found that 55% of student-athletes reported serving in leadership roles during college—such as being a team captain, leading student government, or running campus clubs—compared to 31% of their non-athlete peers. 

For women, the connection is even more striking. A joint study commissioned by Earnst and Young and espnW  revealed that 80% of female Fortune 500 executives played sports earlier in life, and 94% of women in the C-suite reported having participated in sports at some point. A recent Deloitte survey went further, showing that 69% of women earning over $100,000 annually in leadership roles reported playing competitive sports, and 85% said those athletic experiences directly contributed to their career success. 

These findings highlight what parents and coaches already see on the field: the teamwork, discipline, and resilience kids develop in sports often carry forward into leadership roles in schools, businesses, and communities. 

Sports can be especially impactful for kids of color, who often face greater barriers to participation yet stand to benefit enormously when opportunities exist. A 2021 study found that youth sports promote social and emotional learning especially among young men of color, building skills like confidence, discipline, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Additionally, the National Black Sport Participation & Physical Activity Report highlights that Black youth who participate in sports demonstrate higher academic performance, greater social connectedness, and increased access to scholarships and career opportunities. 

Sports are also especially meaningful in Hispanic communities. National survey data shows that about 46.9% of Hispanic children aged 6–17 participated in organized sports in the past year. Subsequently, a study published in the Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education showed that participation in interscholastic sports was positively associated with higher mathematics scores among Latino students. Families consistently report that sports provide belonging, strengthen school engagement, and open doors for future leadership. Programs that are culturally responsive and financially accessible demonstrate that with the right support, Hispanic youth can and do thrive in sports settings, gaining benefits both inside and outside the classroom. 

Together, these findings show that expanding access to sports is not just about fairness—it’s about unleashing the leadership potential, academic growth, and career readiness of the next generation. 

Habits That Last a Lifetime 

The benefits of youth sports don’t stop when the season ends. Nearly 77% of adults who play sports today began playing as youth. 

Longitudinal studies confirm the lasting impact. Adolescents who play organized sports are 8 times more likely to remain physically active into adulthood than those who don’t participate. A 21-year longitudinal study found that persistent participation in youth sports strongly predicts higher levels of adult activity and better long-term health outcomes. 

This means that when we invest in youth sports today, we’re not just supporting kids in the moment—we’re laying the foundation for a lifetime of health and wellness. 

A Win for Communities and Economies 

When kids play sports, entire communities benefit. Active youth grow into healthier adults, reducing long-term health care costs and strengthening the workforce. A study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that simply increasing the percentage of U.S. children ages 8–11 who get 25 minutes of physical activity three times per week from 32% to 50% would avert $21.9 billion in medical costs and lost wages over their lifetimes. 

The study also showed that if kids met the same activity guidelines, the U.S. would see 1.2 million fewer overweight or obese youth and avoid $62.3 billion in medical costs and lost wages for just that one cohort of kids. Since a new group of children enters that age range each year, the potential savings grow even larger. As lead researcher Dr. Bruce Y. Lee noted, “Encouraging exercise and investing in physical activity such as school recess and youth sports leagues when kids are young pays big dividends as they grow up.” 

Youth sports also strengthen economies. By building stronger, healthier kids, we’re also building a stronger workforce. Studies link physical activity to higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and longer career participation. 

Youth sports are more than games. They are investments in the health, well-being, and future of our children, our families, and our state. At UOLF, we remain committed to preserving world-class venues and programs that ensure every child has the chance to experience these benefits—because when kids play, Utah wins.