If Tokyo Bows Out as Olympics host, Florida Wants to Step In

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If Tokyo Bows Out as Olympics host, Florida Wants to Step In

The past week has brought numerous rumors concerning the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and whether the already-delayed sporting spectacle will be held amid global spikes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Florida is angling to fill the void for Tokyo, if the Japanese city is unable to host the Games.

In what is a highly unlikely scenario, Florida has offered its services to the International Olympic Committee to serve as host of the next Olympics. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wrote a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach that touted Florida’s ability to host major sporting events during a pandemic.

In his letter, Patronis noted that Florida has been successful holding NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball games during the pandemic, and this ability demonstrates that it could host the Olympic Games if Japan is unable to fulfill its duties. The IOC and Japanese government have denied recent reports that Tokyo will bow out as host of the Games, slated to begin in July.

Patronis, in his reach to impress the IOC, also referenced that Walt Disney World has been successful as a tourist destination. Florida is also set to be the site of the Super Bowl in less than two weeks, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing in their home stadium against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

“Whatever precautions are required let’s figure it out and get it done,” Patronis wrote in his letter to the IOC.

 

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Matthew
Matthew
3 years ago

How about #Australia . Better record with COVID than US. We have #Sydney2000 venues as well as #Melbourne – about to host a grand slam tennis tournament. Makes sense.

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