Las Vegas Sun

April 25, 2024

More funds approved for Reno to court Olympics

CARSON CITY -- The Reno-Tahoe area will get another $100,000 to pursue the 2014 or 2018 Winter Olympics under an agreement reached Thursday by the two legislative money committees.

Gov. Kenny Guinn already has included $150,000 over the next two years to help an exploratory committee that has spent more than two years investigating the area's chances for the Winter Games.

Harry York, chief executive officer of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, said the area is well situated for the Games, especially with its large number of hotel rooms and large population centers nearby.

"We have a great shot," York said. "If you look at what places in the U.S. have the capability with mountains and support around mountains, there's not very many."

The area was one of the finalists for the Winter Games that were awarded to Salt Lake City in 2002.

Other U.S. cities rumored to be looking to host the 2014 Games include Denver and Lake Placid, N.Y., York said. One obstacle could be if New York City gets the 2010 Summer Olympics because the Olympic Committee typically tries to spread the Games around.

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