13 replies to this topic

[Guardian]

And how do we really know the '76 issue is still not in their minds? We members seem to discuss, in one time or another, the "other" '76 issue. Besides, who knows what Uber is thinking about how the USOC is going to direct itself about another chance of an Olympic Games or not.

[IceNarcissus]

It's also a bit too soon after Salt Lake. Not too soon for the US, but too soon for Colorado, being Utah's next door neighbour.

[millertime1851]

Denver will eventually host, but it's not going to be for a while.  I think the next US WOG is in Alaska, around the late 2020s.

[Kenadian]

I don't think there is much to worry about with Denver.  It is one of the most capable cities in the USA for the Olympics Winter Games.  It has the size, the facilities, the infrastructure, the money and the look of an Olympic city.

If the IOC held grudges for that long, then Calgary and Vancouver would NEVER have been elected as hosts.  Not to mention that the USA hosted 2 Summer and 2 Winter Games following the Denver dump.  Denver probably made a wise decision to dump the Games...the 1970's were not good for the USA and the Olympic funding model was seriously flawed.  The people of Denver in 1973 are different than those of 2011.  And wasn't it politics that killed Denver '76?

But that said, I don't think the USOC will seek 2018.

[SOlympiadsW]

Kendegra, on Feb. 12 2006,22:19, said:

I don't think there is much to worry about with Denver.  It is one of the most capable cities in the USA for the Olympics Winter Games.  It has the size, the facilities, the infrastructure, the money and the look of an Olympic city.

If the IOC held grudges for that long, then Calgary and Vancouver would NEVER have been elected as hosts.  Not to mention that the USA hosted 2 Summer and 2 Winter Games following the Denver dump.  Denver probably made a wise decision to dump the Games...the 1970's were not good for the USA and the Olympic funding model was seriously flawed.  The people of Denver in 1973 are different than those of 2011.  And wasn't it politics that killed Denver '76?

But that said, I don't think the USOC will seek 2018.

I agree with all your points here about Denver

[polarbear]

[quote name='baron-pierreIV' date='Feb. 07 2006,13:03'][quote name='IceNarcissus' date='Dec. 26 2005,03:17'] Alaska?   Naahhhh.  Too flat[/quote]
Too flat????

What the hockey puck are you talking about?!?!?   Anchorage and Alyeska is nestled in the Chugach Mountains.   Just north of the Chugach begins the Alaska Range.    There are mountains EVERYWHERE!
 
:oo:

Ever heard of Mt. McKinley (aka Denali) ?    It's only the highest mountain in North America.   :suspect:

Whoa.    :shocked:

But no - I don't think Anchorage is interested in bidding again.     I could be wrong, but I sure don't see it happening.    

TOO FLAT though ????     Dude, you are out of your mind!?!?!?!

[nykfan845]

Quote

DENVER — When the opening ceremony pageantry ignites the Torino Winter Olympics in Italy come February, five Denver sports boosters will be there plotting how to bring the gold — the 2018 Winter Games — home to Colorado.

"We're looking at and continuing to talk about (the Olympics) from an exploratory committee standpoint,'' said Rob Cohen, chairman of the Metro Denver Sports Commission, who will lead fellow board members on a six-day Torino tour. "Everybody knows we've been talking about the pros and cons of multisport events and what they do and don't do for cities.''

The commission hired Olympic consultant George Hirthler in February to showcase Denver as a cosmopolitan, sports-loving host city and Colorado's world-class ski resorts and athletic venues.

But Cohen is loathe to even use the O-word, saying it's too premature to talk about pursuing the 2018 Winter Games until the U.S. Olympic Committee decides if it will bid for the event.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said he supports the commission's goal of attracting international competitions to the city, such as the world figure skating championships or a cycling race.

"It gives the city a higher profile,'' Hickenlooper said. "And most of those international competitions don't cost us a lot of money. We get a benefit without a lot of investment.''

But, he quickly added, constructing a five-ring circus like the Olympics "is a whole different kettle of fish.''

"To be quite honest,'' he said, "I don't have enough information about all that's involved in putting on the Olympic Games, what the costs are and what the benefits are.''

Such concerns are understandable, given Colorado's star-crossed Olympic history.

After being awarded the 1976 Winter Games, Colorado became the first place ever to say "No Thanks'' to Olympic glory. In 1972, voters in the state, at the urging of future Gov. Richard Lamm, rejected the games by a 3-to-2 ratio, fearful of the economic and environmental fallout from hosting the global snowfest.

While the conventional wisdom has been that Olympic power brokers haven't forgotten the Mile High snub, Cohen said that wasn't the case when he visited Switzerland in June to lobby executives of the international ice hockey, skating, skiing, cycling and ping-pong federations.

"Not one of the federations that I met with ever brought up '76 as a reason why they wouldn't bring their international event here,'' said Cohen. "I came back with eight events for us to bid on.''

Ideas range from hosting a "Big Air'' ski-and-snowboard jumping competition by erecting giant ramps in Invesco Field at Mile High to a cycling road race and a world hockey championship.

"I think the world's a different place and Denver's a different place than they were 30 years ago,'' Cohen said.

"Denver will be a powerful competitor for the right to host major international sporting events,'' said consultant Hirthler, who has been the lead strategist on eight Olympic bids, including winning efforts for Atlanta (1996), Beijing (2008) and Vancouver (2010).

"Its inventory of venues and the world-class brands of its ski resorts are among the finest in the world,'' Hirthler said in an e-mail from Austria, where he's working on Salzburg's bid to host the 2014 Winter Games.

Hirthler also cited the city's transportation prowess, from Denver International Airport to a $4.7 billion mass transit expansion program.

"The ambience of the city and the way it is laid out, from Coors Field through LoDo up the mall to the Capitol creates a great urban festival center,'' Hirthler said, "whether you're hosting an international cycling race, an ice skating championship or a multisport event.''

Star Tribune Article

Again, it's too early to predict what'll happen, but it's just an inkling:

I don't see it happening. The USOC is focusing on a Summer Games, not a Winter Games for the next American-hosted Games

[stryker]

Denver would be a great host for the Winter Olympics.  Unfortunately, the fiasco Denver was involved with may still linger around the IOC.

[Guardian]

Looks like Denver is not going to give up the idea of hosting the Winter Olympics one day. However, seeing other topics related to America and the IOC here makes me wonder how long will it have to wait for the chance to occur.

[baron-pierreIV]

IceNarcissus, on Dec. 26 2005,03:17, said:

It's also a bit too soon after Salt Lake. Not too soon for the US, but too soon for Colorado, being Utah's next door neighbour.

That and the memory of 1976 are Denver's biggest liabilities.   Denver will always have that "you-had-your-chance" baggage.

I predict the next serious US entry for a WOG run would be the Reno-Tahoe area -- once the USOC decides on a 2016 or a 2020 SOG run.  Alaska?   Naahhhh.  Too flat; too boring; too close to Vancouver.  If Reno-Tahoe were a serious contender for 2022; then it would be 62 years since the Winter Games were last in that area - at Squaw Valley.  Whereas Denver will have to wait until 2050 when most of the people with the 1976 memory are gone, to run again.