Denver and Reno-Tahoe interested in hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics
It has recently been revealed by Scott Blackmun, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), that Denver and Reno-Tahoe have contacted the U.S. Olympic Committee for consideration of a bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Blackmun also added that the USOC welcomes the idea of a bid for the Games given that the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the USOC are both able to reach a collaborative decision about the revenue sharing of the event.
Chicago made a bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics but failed to win. Many perceive this failure to capture the bid to be the result of the high amount of revenue share that the USOC had kept for itself. It had asked for 20 percent of the broadcast rights fees
and an additional 12.5 percent of the sponsorship money, percentages that do not sit well with some members of the IOC.
The chairman of the USOC, Larry Probst, made the following comments regarding the matter: "I am confident we can develop a solution that will improve our standing internationally, and at the same time secure the long-term financial well-being of the USOC.
It will take some time, but we are moving in the right direction."
The last time that the U.S played host to the Olympics was in 2002, with the international sports event coming to Salt Lake City in the winter of that year.
Blackmun expressed himself in the following manner while revealing the news: "I think 20 years is long enough. I think it's important that we host the Games in the United States as a way to keep Americans connected to the team."
Both the IOC and the USOC have agreed not to share the details of their talks with the public at this point and it is not certain when the two sides will be meeting next to hold talks. However, it is well known that the president of the IOC, Jacques Rogge,
will be present in Colorado Springs for the International Athletes Forum. Interestingly, Colorado Springs also houses the headquarters of the USOC.
There is still time until the IOC decides upon the host of the 2022 Winter Olympics because the decision will be made known in 2015.
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