U.S. Winter Bid for 2022 or 2026

[Athensfan]

It is what it is. Other than your selfish pie-in-the-sky Summer Games (which US city other than LA is really set to build a T&F stadium in the next decade or so??), can you offer some other realistic COMPLETE competitive package? There isn't.

Get real, Athensfan.

Do you hear yourself?

It doesn't have to happen tomorrow, Baron. It would need to happen by 2024 or 2028. Chicago found a solution. LA is already an option. If the will is there, NY, SF, and others could come up with alternatives as well.

I think it's ridiculous to say that the US shouldn't bid for a Summer Games because we can't find anywhere in the entire country to hold track and field events.

[baron-pierreIV]

Do you hear yourself?

It doesn't have to happen tomorrow, Baron. It would need to happen by 2024 or 2028. Chicago found a solution. LA is already an option. If the will is there, NY, SF, and others could come up with alternatives as well.

I think it's ridiculous to say that the US shouldn't bid for a Summer Games because we can't find anywhere in the entire country to hold track and field events.

By a competitive fairly complete package, I mean a winter one....not a summer. SUmmer is off my (and the USOC's) radar. The timing just isn't there for the next 3 rounds. And yes, if a Reno 2022 happens then..it's meant to be. After all the U.S. really went 52 years between the 2 LA Games. Atlanta was a fluke which...did not bar Salt Lake 2002 from happening but certainly has impacted the other Summer bids. So you shouldn't always be blaming a Winter bid, successful or not, from hurting a Summer bid. If it's fated to happen, it will happen. If not, then not...

[Texas]

Do you hear yourself?

It doesn't have to happen tomorrow, Baron. It would need to happen by 2024 or 2028. Chicago found a solution. LA is already an option. If the will is there, NY, SF, and others could come up with alternatives as well.

I think it's ridiculous to say that the US shouldn't bid for a Summer Games because we can't find anywhere in the entire country to hold track and field events.

For the track and field events, I would think they would have to be in NFL sized stadiums for an American bid. The bid cities would find a way for that to happen.

[baron-pierreIV]

For the track and field events, I would think they would have to be in NFL sized stadiums for an American bid. The bid cities would find a way for that to happen.

They haven't even done it for an IAAF World Championships (which sets you up as a serious Olympic ontender). The track would probably have to be there for a year due to test events held the summer before.

[Athensfan]

By a competitive fairly complete package, I mean a winter one....not a summer. SUmmer is off my (and the USOC's) radar. The timing just isn't there for the next 3 rounds. And yes, if a Reno 2022 happens then..it's meant to be. After all the U.S. really went 52 years between the 2 LA Games. Atlanta was a fluke which...did not bar Salt Lake 2002 from happening but certainly has impacted the other Summer bids. So you shouldn't always be blaming a Winter bid, successful or not, from hurting a Summer bid. If it's fated to happen, it will happen. If not, then not...

You were the one who brought up SOG, LA, T&F, etc.

The bribery scandal had a great deal to do with Salt Lake's win, so I really don't see it as a reliable indicator of anything. It seems to me that some people are still living under the impression that the comparative frequency of American hostings will continue.

I am not "blaming" a winter bid per se. As I've said in another thread, if the USOC can come up with a more compelling candidate than Reno, I might re-evaluate my position on WOG. However, I still firmlybelieve that American audiences, sponsors and athletes will be much stronger and healthier with a SOG in the 20's rather than waiting until the 40's.

Yes, if Reno happens, it happens, if not, not. I'm not a believer in "fate," but obviously if the IOC goes for it, there's no use crying over spilled milk.

If Reno wins, I just hope the USOC doesn't take your view and waste a lot of energy and money on premature SOG bids. Unfortunately, I think this will probably happen and you'll see the U.S. bidding for 2028 and 2032 (despite hosting in 2022) and the IOC will turn them away again. Then the best potential hosts will have their feelings hurt and we'll be back in the exact same cycle.

I want the U.S. to have the best Olympic experience possible AND I want the U.S. to offer the world the best Olympic experience possible. In my view, Reno falls short on both counts.

[Texas]

They haven't even done it for an IAAF World Championships (which sets you up as a serious Olympic ontender). The track would probably have to be there for a year due to test events held the summer before.

There are track and field only stadiums, but none big enough for the World Championships, unless of course, you put it in a track stadium that also doubles as a football stadium (the largest one of those is at the University of Washington). Of course, I don't know if the IAAF would want that.

[stir.ts]

I like Reno.

[Athensfan]

I like Reno.

Stir, I mean this one hundred percent sincerely: what specifically do you like about Reno? What do you see as the city's greatest strengths?

[Soaring]

When people talk about the U.S. not hosting a SOG in the 40's, are they presuming Canada will get a SOG between Rio 2016 and the next U.S. host city?

Just curious as to why people think that a WOG 2022 victory would push back a SOG 20+ years. I think Reno 2022 would kill any other SOG bids in the 20's, but not in the 30's. But a Toronto 2024 or 2028 victory would most certainly push a U.S. games into the 40's or beyond.

[baron-pierreIV]

When people talk about the U.S. not hosting a SOG in the 40's, are they presuming Canada will get a SOG between Rio 2016 and the next U.S. host city?

Just curious as to why people think that a WOG 2022 victory would push back a SOG 20+ years. I think Reno 2022 would kill any other SOG bids in the 20's, but not in the 30's. But a Toronto 2024 or 2028 victory would most certainly push a U.S. games into the 40's or beyond.

Ya know all of that is...maddening hypothetical. The point is a US summer bid likely won't happen until the '30s. In the meantime, why should Winter bids be shut out? Just because one party here does not like the prospective front runner, Reno? THe nice thing is the US is one of the fe lucky big enough countries to be able to realistically go after both...so why not play to our strengths rather than to our...don't like this city...or it will push back another SUmmer Games. How do you even know a Summer Games will come by in the next 30 years? One doesn't. In the meantime, the chance for a WOG would've gone by in favor of a phantom SOG. Really dinky strategy I think.

[CanisMinor]

Just curious as to why people think that a WOG 2022 victory would push back a SOG 20+ years. I think Reno 2022 would kill any other SOG bids in the 20's, but not in the 30's. But a Toronto 2024 or 2028 victory would most certainly push a U.S. games into the 40's or beyond.

In my opinion, an SOG is just simply not going to happen until the 40's - regardless of whether or not we host a WOG. 2020/4/8 are Europe's, Asia's and Africa's in one order or another. That makes 2032 the first open SOG for NA.

Again, my opinion, but if a US city comes up against a competent Toronto bid in 2032/6, the Toronto bid will likely get the nod over the US bid. Of course, this is so far out, no one can really predict what will happen. Heck, Ontario may be a US state by then

[CanisMinor]

Ya know all of that is...maddening hypothetical. The point is a US summer bid likely won't happen until the '30s. ...Just because one party here does not like the prospective front runner, Reno?

Well, all of this is hypothetical. A lot will change, but strategy remains important.

As for "one party": I don't think making the discussion personal is helpful. Reno does have clear disadvantages, no matter how you cut it. The good thing, however, is that the US has an internal bid process. If the USOC DOES decide to go for 2022, there will be an internal process and I am fairly confident we'll see more bids than Denver and California-Nevada step up to the plate. Anchorage, Boise, Colorado Springs and many others - all with their strengths and weaknesses - will be competing. If the California-Nevada bid DOES emerge victorious from the internal process, well, then it will be for one of two reasons:

1) The USOC wants to give a middle finger back to the IOC by putting forward a ridiculous bid

2) More likely, it was solid enough to convince the USOC that it has a winning chance.

I truly believe that the USOC does not want to continue a losing streak. They won't put a multi-state bid forward unless it is stellar.

[Athensfan]

I agree with Canis. The USOC is not going to put forward any bid, Summer or Winter, unless they believe it is a strong contender. Of course, whether they end up being corect is another matter....

Incidentally, I don't think I'm the only person on here who thinks Reno 2022 leaves a little to be desired. I do admit, however, that I've been vocal about it. I apologize if I'm verging on thread saturation. That was not my intent.

[Soaring]

In my opinion, an SOG is just simply not going to happen until the 40's - regardless of whether or not we host a WOG. 2020/4/8 are Europe's, Asia's and Africa's in one order or another. That makes 2032 the first open SOG for NA.

Again, my opinion, but if a US city comes up against a competent Toronto bid in 2032/6, the Toronto bid will likely get the nod over the US bid. Of course, this is so far out, no one can really predict what will happen. Heck, Ontario may be a US state by then

I have to strongly disagree. Sure, 2020 (and 2024 - depending on if a European city wins 2020) are going to be the most difficult, but IMO, North America would have the longest drought after Africa. If Cape Town or Durban win 2020, and Paris wins 2024 (or reverse), I can see 2028 being a fight between Toronto, Tokyo and a U.S. city (I would favor NYC or Chicago).

If the U.S. gets a Winter Games in 2022 or 2026, Toronto could very well be the next N. American host. I could then see the U.S. having to wait until the 2040's to host a SOG.

[baron-pierreIV]

Well, all of this is hypothetical. A lot will change, but strategy remains important.

As for "one party": I don't think making the discussion personal is helpful. Reno does have clear disadvantages, no matter how you cut it. The good thing, however, is that the US has an internal bid process. If the USOC DOES decide to go for 2022, there will be an internal process and I am fairly confident we'll see more bids than Denver and California-Nevada step up to the plate. Anchorage, Boise, Colorado Springs and many others - all with their strengths and weaknesses - will be competing. If the California-Nevada bid DOES emerge victorious from the internal process, well, then it will be for one of two reasons:

1) The USOC wants to give a middle finger back to the IOC by putting forward a ridiculous bid

2) More likely, it was solid enough to convince the USOC that it has a winning chance.

I truly believe that the USOC does not want to continue a losing streak. They won't put a multi-state bid forward unless it is stellar.

There is an internal bid process. But of course...and it becomes competitive only if there is more than one contender. Have discussed the negatives of ANchorage & Denver. Won't repeat myself.

I really can't take Boise and Colorado Springs seriously. Sun Valley might even be a better draw than Boise; and after the Broadmoor and the Red Lion Inn, what does CS have? OK...tents at Pike's Peak!!

[Texas]

Boise, Idaho? I don't think the IOC wants to have the opening and closing ceremonies on the blue field of Boise State.

[FYI]

uummmm, & where is Bozeman?

[CanisMinor]

I have to strongly disagree. ... If Cape Town or Durban win 2020, and Paris wins 2024 (or reverse), I can see 2028 being a fight between Toronto, Tokyo and a U.S. city (I would favor NYC or Chicago).

Well, I think we actually agree on this (although I see 2020 as likely for Madrid and 2024 as Cape Town). I do agree that 2028 will be a US-Canada-Japan dogfight.

The challenge then is that the Asia and Europe both have a strong voting bloc, which NA doesn't have. South America and Africa at that time will "owe" Europe and Asia for their respective games (Canada and the US played zero roll in bringing the Games to South America, and likely won't have any impact on the Games coming to Africa). The favor will have been repaid to Madrid (or another European city), and Tokyo will get a nice big fat thank you from these blocs too.

This means 2032 is again US vs. Canada. The IOC will look back and see that it's been 60 years since Montreal, but only 40 years since Atlanta. The will look back and see a great games in Vancouver, but read about the country fair in Atlanta and the scandal in Salt Lake City. Given two equal bids - one from repeat bidder Toronto and one from US-city-of-the-day, which do you think they will choose?

[CanisMinor]

Boise, Idaho? I don't think the IOC wants to have the opening and closing ceremonies on the blue field of Boise State.

Reno: about 300,000 people in the metro area. Tacky casinos, strip-clubs, brothels. An hour long drive to the mountains in a different state

Boise: about 600,000 people in the metro area. A state capitol with blue grass fields. A 15 min drive to the mountains in the same state

I'd choose Boise, but maybe I just don't understand the lure of silicon boobs and wasting quarters in a slot machine

Seriously, I think one of the biggest potential hurdles for a Reno-Tahoe bid is that it crosses state lines. In my opinion, that makes it practically a non-starter.

[CanisMinor]

I really can't ... Colorado Springs seriously. Sun Valley might even be a better draw than Boise; and after the Broadmoor and the Red Lion Inn, what does CS have? OK...tents at Pike's Peak!!

Let's see. Colorado Springs is more populous than Reno by a factor of 2. It is often ranked as one of the best cities to live in America. It has an incredibly strong tradition of Olympic Sports, and is the seat of the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, the US Figure Skating Association and numerous summer sport federations.

Basically Colorado Springs offers everything that Denver does without the baggage.

Of course the downside is that Colorado Springs was basically bankrupt in 2009. Unlike Reno, which is still pulling in plenty of funds from the silicon-boob-oglers

[baron-pierreIV]

Seriously, I think one of the biggest potential hurdles for a Reno-Tahoe bid is that it crosses state lines. In my opinion, that makes it practically a non-starter.

Actually that's incorrect. The slopes and trails targeted are on the Nevada side of the lake. The border runs almost midway down the lake. So really, CA will not even be included in the package.

Look at this map: http://www.americansouthwest.net/maps/lake-tahoe-map.gif

Of course the downside is that Colorado Springs was basically bankrupt in 2009. Unlike Reno, which is still pulling in plenty of funds from the silicon-boob-oglers

And the sex-change capital of the world beat a certain prudish midwestern city by the lake last October. That's why Chicago lost an $80 million bet...it misread the sense of fun of the IOC'ers.

[stir.ts]

Stir, I mean this one hundred percent sincerely: what specifically do you like about Reno? What do you see as the city's greatest strengths?

Natural surroundings, lack of pretense, space, super easy access to Tahoe, less than 1/2 the drive from Vancouver to Whistler, lot of flight in and out form everywhere, convenient airport, the city is primed for growth and would be an excellent host city for a winter party. It's a uniquely convenient hub to exceptional alpine, and if you don't think Reno linked with Tahoe will be a HUGE draw to the most jaded IOC members you're crazy. EVERYBODY that skis A LOT on earth skis Tahoe or plans to or wants to.

Even if Denver was interested (and I love Denver)...it's not even CLOSE to the convenience of Reno-Tahoe.

[Athensfan]

Natural surroundings, lack of pretense, space, super easy access to Tahoe, less than 1/2 the drive from Vancouver to Whistler, lot of flight in and out form everywhere, convenient airport, the city is primed for growth and would be an excellent host city for a winter party. It's a uniquely convenient hub to exceptional alpine, and if you don't think Reno linked with Tahoe will be a HUGE draw to the most jaded IOC members you're crazy. EVERYBODY that skis A LOT on earth skis Tahoe or plans to or wants to.

Even if Denver was interested (and I love Denver)...it's not even CLOSE to the convenience of Reno-Tahoe.

Thanks a lot for the response.

(BTW, I keep wanting to call you "stir your insides" just for fun, but I'll refrain...)

Ok. I agree with you that Tahoe is fantastic, but my question was what do you like about RENO. The only thing you mentioned was the airport and that it is "primed for growth". That, in a nutshell, is my beef with the bid. The draw is Tahoe and one just has to hold one's nose while passing through Reno. That is not a great bid. If the field is weak, it might be enough to win, but it falls far short of "wonderful."

[stir.ts]

Gosh, you really don't have to hold your nose throught reno....its a very clean nice town in most parts. I just got back from Salt Lake, San Fran, And NY, and I gotta tell ya....you can find a place to hold your nose in any city, particularly the cities GB seems to hold up as awsome. Reno is not Paris and the great thing is they don't wanna be Paris. There's a feeling of freedom and independence in Reno, I also like that its sorta secluded and wild and unpredictable.. It's a perfect gatway to outdoor sport. It's sorta like a smaller Calgary with 1/3 the time to an even more spectacular lake.

Anywho.....I'm just jumping into a car in Las Vegas (another one of the loathed GB cities). I love it here too! I guess I just love wherever I end up, and discovering the people and fun and new parts of me that come out in every place.

Did I mention the sky out in Reno...not as deep blue as a bluebird day in Utah, but wide wide open and clean as heck.

It would be a hell of a party in Reno...high off Tahoe and the possibilities of an anything goes town.

[nykfan845]

How are you so quick to judge a bid that hardly even exists? LOL.