LITTLE ROCK — Memphis a long shot for Games
The United States Olympic Committee on Wednesday sent a letter to 35 cities to gauge interest in hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Memphis was one of the cities that received a letter.
Yes, Memphis.
Several city leaders and community members even admitted the possibility of hosting the Olympics is a long shot.
“We’ve got some great facilities. Do we have the facilities to host an Olympic Games?” said Kevin Kane of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau in an interview with WMC-TV in Memphis. “That might be a stretch right now.
“You know, do I think Memphis is seriously on their radar screen? No. But they did send a letter to Mayor [A C] Wharton, and Mayor Wharton will respond to it.”
The requirements for a city to host the Olympic Games require the construction of new venues and operating budgets that usually exceed $3 billion.
Several requirements were listed in the letter, including:
45,000 hotel rooms.
An Olympic village that sleeps 16,500 and has a 5,000-person dining hall.
Operations space for more than 15,000 media and broadcasters.
An international airport that can handle thousands of international travelers per day.
Public transportation service to venues.
Roadway closures to allow exclusive use for Games-related transportation.
A work force up to 200,000.
The USOC said in the letter they will choose the host city through a “thoughtful and efficient process.” The committee will have discussions with the cities that show interest in bidding.”
“Yeah,” Kane said, “I think we’ve got our work cut out for us to get to that point in the short term.”
Other cities that received a letter from the USOC included New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Tulsa, Nashville, Dallas and Houston.
OK, then
CBSSports.com reporter Jeremy Fowler asked new Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly about the ongoing NCAA investigation involving his former school, Oregon, on Thursday at the NFL Combine.
Kelly wasn’t taking the bait.
“I have no idea,” Kelly said.
“I’m worried about my roster.”
They said it
Former major-league pitcher Chuck Finley, who is a guest instructor working with the Los Angeles Angels’ pitchers, to the Los Angeles Times’ Mike DiGiovanna on Twitter: “Just killing some more careers.”
DiGiovanna on former major leaguer Tony Phillips: “Got a hug AND a kiss on cheek from Tony Phillips in Angels camp today.
And to think, at times 16 years ago this guy wanted to strangle me.”
Greg Johns of MLB.com, on Twitter: “Advisory sign over Hwy 101 in Phoenix: ‘Winter driving conditions. Drive with care.’ (It is 52 degrees and cloudy.)”
Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon on his team’s dress/facial hair code: “Beards, earrings, tattoos, we like it all.”
Quote of the day
“This is a brand-new team and we’ve looked good on paper, no question about that. But now it’s time to produce.” Arkansas track and field Coach Chris Bucknam on the Razorbacks indoor team
Sports, Pages 18 on 02/22/2013