A new effort could bring the Winter Olympics back to New York for the first time since 1980.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced the creation of the Lake Placid-New York City Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee, which will spend the next year evaluating whether the state should pursue a future Winter Olympics bid.
According to the Times Union, the committee will examine whether Lake Placid and New York City could jointly host a future Winter Olympics and Paralympics using existing venues and infrastructure. The concept is modeled after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, which utilized facilities in multiple locations.
State officials stressed that the committee’s formation does not represent a formal Olympic bid. Instead, the group will assess the feasibility of a future Games while considering sustainability, fiscal responsibility, community engagement and economic development goals.
“The time is now to return the Olympic flame back to New York,” Hochul said in a statement announcing the initiative.
Lake Placid previously hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. The 1980 Games are remembered for the U.S. men’s hockey team’s “Miracle on Ice” victory over the Soviet Union. In recent years, New York has invested more than $750 million in upgrades to Olympic facilities in the Adirondack village, which continue to host international competitions. The facilities also served as a backup option for sliding events during preparations for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.
Under the concept being explored, Lake Placid would likely host snow and sliding sports, while New York City could serve as the site for indoor events and major competitions held at existing arenas and stadiums.
The exploratory committee will be chaired by Ashley Walden, president and CEO of the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The group is expected to spend approximately one year gathering public input and studying logistical, financial and operational considerations before submitting its findings to state leaders.
While no specific year has been identified, multiple reports indicate the earliest realistic opportunity for a New York bid would be the 2042 Winter Olympics. The 2030 Games are scheduled for the French Alps, while Salt Lake City will host in 2034. Switzerland is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the 2038 Winter Games.
If New York ultimately pursues a bid, it would first need support from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee before being considered by the International Olympic Committee.
