Romney was in charge of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee , which helped run the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City , Utah . When the offer came for Romney to take over the troubled 2002 Olympic Winter Games , to be held in Salt Lake City in Utah , she urged him to take it , and eager for a new challenge , he did . On February 11 , 1999 , Romney was hired as the new president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee .