A Reno-Tahoe coalition is building support for a possible 2018 Winter Olympic bid around Lake Tahoe, site of the 1960 Games.
The 24-member coalition of businessmen, politicians, and other key players has been quietly working on the plan since 2002, reports the Sacramento Bee.
Jim Vanden Heuvel, chief executive officer of the Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition said, “it has great potential. We’re dedicated to being the next United States venue to host an Olympics”. He said approval for the Games in Reno-Tahoe is needed from the U.S. Olympic Committee and then the International Olympic Committee.
He estimated the region would need $1.6 billion to host the 2018 Games. An Olympic training facility, skating and skiing venues and improvements to existing facilities would be among the major expenses, he said.
Vanden Heuvel said about $1 billion could come from the sale of broadcast rights and international sponsorships. Possible federal grants for road and infrastructure improvements could be received even without the Olympics he said.
He said the mountains and ski resorts in the region “can host everything needed in the Olympic program right now, and Reno-Tahoe also has more than 35,000 hotel rooms. “It’s more than double what Salt Lake City had”, he said.
On Tuesday the Placer County, California Board of Supervisors was asked for its support of the plan. All five members endorsed it enthusiastically.
Vanden Heuvel said the Olympic bid has support from various jurisdictions in and around the Tahoe basin and from the Nevada Commission on Sports.
On Thursday Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office signalled he would consider supporting a bid if the U.S. Olympic Committee pursues the 2018 Games.
Spokesman Aaron McLear said, “the governor is always supportive of anything that would be of potential economic boost to California. He is currently working to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles and would consider any other events that would benefit California”.
Vanden Heuvel said, “we’re all at the mercy of the U.S. Olympic Committee until they make a decision. For now we’re building regional support and beginning to lay out a vision for what the legacy would be of having the Games return here”.
