Rochester, N.Y. - The Olympics in Rochester? The Flower City is being mentioned as a possibility.
In an article published in the New York Times Wednesday, Rochester was listed as one of 35 cities whose mayor received a letter regarding the 2024 Summer Games.
According to the NYT, the United States Olympic Committee sent letters to 35 large cities as well as other cities that have shown interest.
Two factors could hurt Rochester's bid: logistics and money. The NYT reported that the U.S.O.C. predicted that the operating budget for a Games would hover around $3 billion.
Al Schneider, CEO of the non-profit New York Sports Congress, got Rochester on the list by lobbying folks in Albany a few weeks ago.
He says the state and federal governments could help with the cost.
He sees Olympic Park being built in Avon, close to both I-390 and the Thruway.
"We’re part of the U.S. and we need economic development," Schneider said.
Rochester Mayor Tom Richards, however, said he has no plans to respond to the letter.
"The capacity of the region to absorb those facilities, what would be an economic boom could rapidly turn into a burden," he said.
The last American city to host an Olympics was Salt Lake City, for the Winter Games in 2002.
To read the full New York Times article, click here.
