Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday launched a committee to explore whether Lake Placid and New York City could jointly host a future Winter Olympics and Paralympics.”The time is now to return the Olympic flame back to New York,” Hochul said in the announcement.The committee will spend approximately one year assessing the feasibility of a modern Winter Games concept built around existing venues.The exploratory committee will be chaired by Ashley Walden, president and chief executive officer of the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), which oversees New York’s Olympic facilities. The leadership group includes representatives from state government, New York City, Lake Placid, Empire State Development, and the offices of U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.Several subcommittees will examine the major operational, financial, legal, and community considerations involved in hosting a future Winter Games. Their findings will be presented to state leadership upon completion of the review process.Among the appointees, two-time Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht, operations manager at Lake Placid’s Mirror Lake Inn, will co-chair the Games Operations Subcommittee. Former North Country Assemblyman Billy Jones will co-chair the Senior Advisors Subcommittee.”I have long believed that Lake Placid’s unmatched Olympic legacy, combined with New York City’s world-class venues and global reach, creates an opportunity unlike anywhere else in the world,” Jones said in a statement.Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980 and remains one of the most recognizable Olympic destinations in the United States.In recent years, New York State has invested more than $750 million in upgrading and modernizing the region’s Olympic facilities, positioning them to host international competitions and elite training events.Most recently, ORDA was awarded $100 million in state funds to maintain its venues.Earlier this month, Sen. Gillibrand toured the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex to show support for the idea, telling NBC5 that hosting a third Olympics could boost the state’s long-term economy.The village’s continued relevance in winter sports was underscored when its sliding facilities were designated as a contingency venue for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.At the conclusion of the yearlong review, the committee will determine whether a future bid should be considered. Any decision to pursue a formal Olympic or Paralympic bid would require additional evaluation and approval.
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. —
Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday launched a committee to explore whether Lake Placid and New York City could jointly host a future Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
“The time is now to return the Olympic flame back to New York,” Hochul said in the announcement.
The committee will spend approximately one year assessing the feasibility of a modern Winter Games concept built around existing venues.
The exploratory committee will be chaired by Ashley Walden, president and chief executive officer of the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), which oversees New York’s Olympic facilities.
The leadership group includes representatives from state government, New York City, Lake Placid, Empire State Development, and the offices of U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Several subcommittees will examine the major operational, financial, legal, and community considerations involved in hosting a future Winter Games. Their findings will be presented to state leadership upon completion of the review process.
Among the appointees, two-time Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht, operations manager at Lake Placid’s Mirror Lake Inn, will co-chair the Games Operations Subcommittee. Former North Country Assemblyman Billy Jones will co-chair the Senior Advisors Subcommittee.
“I have long believed that Lake Placid’s unmatched Olympic legacy, combined with New York City’s world-class venues and global reach, creates an opportunity unlike anywhere else in the world,” Jones said in a statement.
Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980 and remains one of the most recognizable Olympic destinations in the United States.
In recent years, New York State has invested more than $750 million in upgrading and modernizing the region’s Olympic facilities, positioning them to host international competitions and elite training events.
Most recently, ORDA was awarded $100 million in state funds to maintain its venues.
Earlier this month, Sen. Gillibrand toured the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex to show support for the idea, telling NBC5 that hosting a third Olympics could boost the state’s long-term economy.
The village’s continued relevance in winter sports was underscored when its sliding facilities were designated as a contingency venue for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
At the conclusion of the yearlong review, the committee will determine whether a future bid should be considered. Any decision to pursue a formal Olympic or Paralympic bid would require additional evaluation and approval.