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Could the Olympics Come to Columbus?

Updated: Wednesday, February 20 2013, 04:09 PM EST
COLUMBUS - Is Columbus interested in playing host to the 2024 Olympic Games?  That's what the U.S. Olympic Committee
wants to know.

Columbus is one of 35 cities across the country to get a letter to gauge interest in making a bid for the 2024 Games, even though the U.S.O.C. hasn't even decided if it even wants to host those games in the U.S. 

ABC6 called City Hall for reaction, but all we got was a confirmation that they received the letter yesterday.

The list of requirements is steep. The predicted operating budget would exceed $3 billion. Cities must also construct an Olympic Village to house 16,500 athletes and provide working space for 15,000 news media members. An extensive train and bus transportation network is also required. The host city must also provide a workforce of 200,000 for the Games.

The last American city to host an Olympics was Salt Lake City, for the 2002 Winter Games. There have been four Summer Games in the United States: St. Louis, Los Angeles (twice) and Atlanta.

The other cities that received the letter were Phoenix; San Jose, Calif.; Los Angeles; Sacramento; San Diego; San Francisco; Denver; Washington; Jacksonville, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Miami; Atlanta; Chicago; Indianapolis; Baltimore; Detroit; Minneapolis; St. Louis; Las Vegas; New York; Boston; Rochester; Charlotte, N.C.; Tulsa, Okla.; Portland, Ore.; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Memphis; Nashville and Davidson County; Austin, Tex.; Dallas; Houston; San Antonio; and Seattle.

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Reporter: Terri Sullivan
Web Producer: Kellie HannaCould the Olympics Come to Columbus?