Denver, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus, today urged the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reach an agreement on revenue sharing issues that could delay or prevent a bid from Denver and other U.S. cities.
In a letter to Larry Probst, chairman of the USOC board of directors, Bennet pushed for a quick resolution, so leaders in Denver and across the Rocky Mountain region can continue the necessary work and preparation to produce a successful bid to host a future Olympic Games.
“It is my understanding that the USOC has decided to withhold submitting any bids to host the Olympics until an agreement over revenue sharing can be reached with the IOC,” Bennet wrote in the letter. “State and local officials in Colorado will find it difficult to advance preparations for a possible bid without a sense of certainty that the USOC would be willing to move forward. A timely resolution to this matter would only serve to benefit American cities considering a bid to serve as a host city to a future Olympic Games.”
A city like Denver would see great economic benefits if it were chosen as a host city, especially because much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place. About $6 million was infused into the local economy when Broomfield played host to the U.S. Olympic trials for curling in 2009, and Colorado would stand to gain much more from hosting the full Olympic Games.
Full text of the letter is included below.
Dear Chairman Probst,
I write to encourage the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to reach an expeditious agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the current revenue sharing issues that have arisen. A timely resolution to this matter would only serve to benefit American cities considering a bid to serve as a host city to a future Olympic Games.
The economic benefits associated with serving as a host to the Olympics would be attractive to any city pondering a bid. With much of the infrastructure needed to host an event of this magnitude already in place, a city like Denver would stand to reap those benefits several times over if it were chosen as a host city. As an example, about $6 million was infused into the local economy when Broomfield played host to the U.S. Olympic trials for curling in 2009. I’m hopeful that bringing the Olympics to the region would boost these totals exponentially.
As you may know, the City of Denver has indicated an interest in a potential bid to host a future Winter Olympics. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock have begun informal conversations regarding a possible bid. Additionally, leaders across the Rocky Mountain region have begun the necessary work to produce a successful bid. As you are aware, the work and preparation that it takes to produce a winning bid is extensive. It would be unfortunate if the current impasse undermined these efforts.
It is my understanding that the USOC has decided to withhold submitting any bids to host the Olympics until an agreement over revenue sharing can be reached with the IOC. State and local officials in Colorado will find it difficult to advance preparations for a possible bid without a sense of certainty that the USOC would be willing to move forward. For this reason, I urge you and the USOC Board of Directors to work with the IOC to find common ground on this issue.
I am certain that Denver has the necessary capacity, location and resources to put together a successful bid for a future Winter Olympics. And should it choose to do so, Denver and the entire Rocky Mountain region would enjoy countless cultural and economic benefits. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance as you work through this important issue with the IOC.