The Utah 2034 Olympic games are eight years away, but one Utahn is already making his presence felt on the world’s stage ahead of the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Utah State University Board of Trustees Member David H. Huntsman recently had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch. Huntsman took part in the tradition on Tuesday, February 3, as he carried the torch through Merate, Italy, as it travels to Milan for the opening ceremony.
Huntsman was invited to the games as a torch relay participant by the Utah 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Committee. While his role was partly about representing Utah — for him personally — it was an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health.
“It was an amazing experience to be a part of something so significant and important,”said David H. Huntsman. “It’s something I will remember the rest of my life.”
Mental health has long been an important issue for David and the entire Huntsman family. The Huntsman Mental Health Foundationsupports the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and its mission to transform mental health care through community, research, clinical, and education initiatives.
Huntsman hopes accessibility of mental health resources and support will be prioritized when Utah hosts the games in 2034. He calls the games an ideal stage for the world to continue and grow the conversation around mental health, adding “the Olympic flame gives so many people hope.”
David H. Huntsman, president and chief operating officer of the Huntsman Foundation, is currently serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of Utah State University and as member of the Huntsman School National Advisory Board. He previously served on the Board of Trustees at the University of Utah from 2009 to 2015.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Huntsman is the son of Jon M. Huntsman Sr. and Karen Haight Huntsman. He has held a number of executive positions with the Huntsman companies, including as a member of the board of managers of Huntsman International Holdings, LLC. When the golf community in Huntsman Springs opened in 2007 in Teton Valley, Idaho, Huntsman was the CEO and president. He served as the president of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation until his call to serve as president of the Washington, D.C., South Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from July 2015 to July 2018. He was sustained as an Area Seventy in the Church in 2020. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.