When the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced last July that it would not pursue a bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, we here in Reno-Tahoe took a deep breath. After all, over the past decade a lot of people throughout our region had spent quite a bit of time and effort to prepare for such an opportunity and were once again told that this was not the time.
Our organization, the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition, has led that vision for the past ten years and was now faced with a decision. Leave our work for a future group to pick up or forge forward, continuing to promote Reno-Tahoe as a premier sports tourism destination and a region which embraces the Olympic Movement. The answer was simple; we continue our work and also broaden our horizons to create other opportunities in the shorter term.
To that end, the past six months have been both interesting and very productive!
We have secured two historic events for Nevada over the past couple of months. The Continental Cup of Curling, a Ryder-Cup like four-day tournament, will be coming to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas January 16-19, 2014. Initial tickets sales have been very strong, especially popular with Canadian residents who spend part of their winter in the western United States. The World Curling Federation (WCF) Congress, held annually, will be coming to Reno-Tahoe in the late summer of 2014. Both of these events will be making their United States debut and we are honored by the faith placed in us to stage them by the WCF, the Canadian Curling Association and the United States Curling Association.
Reno-Tahoe was honored to be added to the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic Cities last October. RTWGC vice chairman Hawley MacLean will serve in this capacity.
We also received special recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the USOC for our Olympic Day Family Festival, held last June at UNR’s Mackay Stadium.
Over 200 attendees joined us last November to enshrine the latest class into the Reno Tahoe International Sports Hall of Fame. The evening honored Olympic freestyle skier Shannon Bahrke, former MLB pitcher Shawn Estes, legendary local high school coach Joe Sellers, multi-sport star Wayne Adams and the student-athletes of Winnemucca’s Lowry High School. Our volunteer team, led by RTWGC Director of Development Keri Cassinelli, did a wonderful job in making the night at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa so memorable!
When organizers for the Winter X Games approached the RTWGC about the region’s interest in hosting them, we made sure the region’s top resorts were aware and ready to proceed. We are excited that they are doing so and look forward to offering any assistance in ensuring that the bid is the best it can be.
Then just before the holidays, the USOC announced it would reach out to cities/regions with interest in hosting the 2024 Summer Games or the 2026 Winter Games. We have let their leadership know that when they are ready to meet we are ready for them.
You can read more detail about each of these topics in this newsletter.
The truth is, none of the above would have happened if not for Reno-Tahoe’s Olympic Heritage and its dream of bringing the Games back. Proceeding on this journey, which we have said is a marathon and not a sprint, will continue to bring shorter term opportunities to showcase all that we have to offer the world of sport. At a time when our entire region has to work that much harder to market itself, sport tourism is one of the ingredients that can lead to a brighter future, and think of the fun bringing events to the region will offer all of us!
We at the RTWGC are rolling up our sleeves tighter than ever and will work with our growing list of local, regional, national and international partners to bring a steady flow of sporting events to Reno-Tahoe and oh yes, keep that flame flickering for a potential Winter Games future.
As always, thanks to all of you who have provided your time, talent and treasure to this mission and we appreciate your continued support!
