2020 Olympic bid: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Olympic flag.png|right|thumb|200px]] | [[Image:Olympic flag.png|right|thumb|200px]] | ||
The '''2020 Olympic bid''' | The '''2020 Olympic bid''' was a [[List of initiatives proposed by Larry Langford|proposal]] by [[Birmingham mayor]] [[Larry Langford]] to prepare an official bid for [[Birmingham]] to become the host city of the 2020 Olympic summer games. The notion was first voiced by State Representative [[John Rogers]] in [[2005]] as he lobbied for state funding for a [[domed stadium]] in [[Birmingham]]. | ||
Langford announced the idea on [[June 20]], [[2008]] at the opening ceremony of the [[Alabama Sports Festival]] at the [[Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex#Arena|BJCC Arena]]. He then presented booklets to the [[Birmingham City Council]] at their [[June 24]] meeting, touching on the potential economic impact and possible venues. Key venues that would be needed to host the games | Langford announced the idea on [[June 20]], [[2008]] at the opening ceremony of the [[Alabama Sports Festival]] at the [[Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex#Arena|BJCC Arena]]. He then presented booklets to the [[Birmingham City Council]] at their [[June 24]] meeting, touching on the potential economic impact and possible venues. Key venues that would be needed to host the games were already in the planning stage, including the proposed new stadium and [[Birmingham CrossPlex|track and swimming facilities]] at [[Fair Park#Redevelopment|Fair Park]]. | ||
He hoped to secure public and private funding to come up with $500,000 needed to make a formal application. On [[July 15]] Langford introduced a resolution appointing Ron Creel of Montgomery, the president and CEO of the Alabama Sports Festival, to chair a committee charged with preparing an application. | He hoped to secure public and private funding to come up with $500,000 needed to make a formal application. On [[July 15]] Langford introduced a resolution appointing Ron Creel of Montgomery, the president and CEO of the Alabama Sports Festival, to chair a committee charged with preparing an application. | ||
Reaction to the Mayor's suggestion has been mixed. Even supporters | Reaction to the Mayor's suggestion has been mixed. Even supporters acknowledged that the potential for winning an Olympic bid was miniscule. City Council president [[Carole Smitherman]] predicted that the international community would praise the city for its boldness. Councilor [[William Bell]] argued that it was worth a shot and that even a failed bid would be harmless. Some familiar with the bid requirements dismissed the idea as ill-conceived. The United States Olympic Committee was preparing Chicago's bid for the 2016 games. If Chicago were selected, the USOC would not apply for the 2020 games at all. And if it did, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Philadelphia would be expected to compete for the honor. | ||
To have a chance at a realistic bid, the city would need massive upgrades to the [[Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport]], a working [[Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority|mass transit]] system, thousands of new hotel rooms, unprecedented public and corporate support, and regional cooperation of a kind that has been decidedly | To have a chance at a realistic bid, the city would need massive upgrades to the [[Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport]], a working [[Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority|mass transit]] system, thousands of new hotel rooms, unprecedented public and corporate support, and regional cooperation of a kind that has been decidedly lacking. | ||
==Organizing committee== | ==Organizing committee== | ||
On [[September 17]] Langford announced the formation of a 20-member "Greater Birmingham 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee" which | On [[September 17]] Langford announced the formation of a 20-member "Greater Birmingham 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee" which was tasked with developing a feasibility study by December [[2009]]. Shelia Smoot and Nichelle Gainey were added to the committee soon afterwards. The group's first official action was to draft a letter supporting Chicago's bid for the 2016 games. The IOC eventually awarded the games to Tokyo, Japan. | ||
===Committee members=== | ===Committee members=== | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
* [[Shelia Smoot]] | * [[Shelia Smoot]] | ||
* [[Chris Woods]], [[C. W. Woods Contracting Services]] | * [[Chris Woods]], [[C. W. Woods Contracting Services]] | ||
==World Games== | |||
At the invitation of [[Ron Froehlich]], a former president of the International World Games Association, the city sent a delegation to the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia and submitted a bid in [[2014]] to host the [[2022 World Games|2021 World Games]]. Birmingham was selected ahead of Lima, Peru and Ufa, Russia in an announcement on January 22, 2015. Due to the [[COVID pandemic]] the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021 and the World Games were postponed to [[2022]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Bryant, Joseph D. "Birmingham, Alabama, mayor wants Olympics in 2020". | * Bryant, Joseph D. "Birmingham, Alabama, mayor wants Olympics in 2020". {{BN}} | ||
* Scarbinsky, Kevin (June 23, 2008) "Mayor Larry Langford needs vision checked - Birmingham not ready for Olympics." | * Scarbinsky, Kevin (June 23, 2008) "Mayor Larry Langford needs vision checked - Birmingham not ready for Olympics." {{BN}} | ||
* Bryant, Joseph D. (June 25, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford serious about landing 2020 Olympics." | * Bryant, Joseph D. (June 25, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford serious about landing 2020 Olympics." {{BN}} | ||
* Stock, Erin (July 16, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposes paying the Alabama Sports Festival up to $250,000 to implement plan for 2020 Summer Olympics." | * Stock, Erin (July 16, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposes paying the Alabama Sports Festival up to $250,000 to implement plan for 2020 Summer Olympics." {{BN}} | ||
* Stock, Erin (July 16, 2008) "Head of Alabama Sports Festival will work as volunteer to bring Olympics to Birmingham." | * Stock, Erin (July 16, 2008) "Head of Alabama Sports Festival will work as volunteer to bring Olympics to Birmingham." {{BN}} | ||
* Brown, Robbie (August 23, 2008) "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/sports/olympics/24birmingham.html?ex=1377230400&en=f573383fd4c6a664&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Mayor Pushes Skeptical Birmingham to Dream on an Olympic Scale]." ''New York Times'' | * Brown, Robbie (August 23, 2008) "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/sports/olympics/24birmingham.html?ex=1377230400&en=f573383fd4c6a664&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Mayor Pushes Skeptical Birmingham to Dream on an Olympic Scale]." ''The New York Times'' | ||
* Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (September 18, 2008) "Mayor Langford, Creel announce members of the Birmingham 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee." | * Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (September 18, 2008) "Mayor Langford, Creel announce members of the Birmingham 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee." {{BN}} | ||
[[Category:2020 events]] | [[Category:2020 events]] | ||
[[Category:Proposed events]] | [[Category:Proposed events]] | ||
[[Category:Olympics]] | [[Category:Olympics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:34, 14 July 2022
The 2020 Olympic bid was a proposal by Birmingham mayor Larry Langford to prepare an official bid for Birmingham to become the host city of the 2020 Olympic summer games. The notion was first voiced by State Representative John Rogers in 2005 as he lobbied for state funding for a domed stadium in Birmingham.
Langford announced the idea on June 20, 2008 at the opening ceremony of the Alabama Sports Festival at the BJCC Arena. He then presented booklets to the Birmingham City Council at their June 24 meeting, touching on the potential economic impact and possible venues. Key venues that would be needed to host the games were already in the planning stage, including the proposed new stadium and track and swimming facilities at Fair Park.
He hoped to secure public and private funding to come up with $500,000 needed to make a formal application. On July 15 Langford introduced a resolution appointing Ron Creel of Montgomery, the president and CEO of the Alabama Sports Festival, to chair a committee charged with preparing an application.
Reaction to the Mayor's suggestion has been mixed. Even supporters acknowledged that the potential for winning an Olympic bid was miniscule. City Council president Carole Smitherman predicted that the international community would praise the city for its boldness. Councilor William Bell argued that it was worth a shot and that even a failed bid would be harmless. Some familiar with the bid requirements dismissed the idea as ill-conceived. The United States Olympic Committee was preparing Chicago's bid for the 2016 games. If Chicago were selected, the USOC would not apply for the 2020 games at all. And if it did, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Philadelphia would be expected to compete for the honor.
To have a chance at a realistic bid, the city would need massive upgrades to the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, a working mass transit system, thousands of new hotel rooms, unprecedented public and corporate support, and regional cooperation of a kind that has been decidedly lacking.
Organizing committee
On September 17 Langford announced the formation of a 20-member "Greater Birmingham 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee" which was tasked with developing a feasibility study by December 2009. Shelia Smoot and Nichelle Gainey were added to the committee soon afterwards. The group's first official action was to draft a letter supporting Chicago's bid for the 2016 games. The IOC eventually awarded the games to Tokyo, Japan.
Committee members
- Ron Creel, Alabama Sports Festival, chairman
- Alan Blalock, Blalock Design Associates
- Neil Davis, Geoff Clever, Davis Architects
- Brian Mackin, Shannon Ealy, UAB Blazers athletics department
- Vonetta Flowers, Kenneth Marshall, athletes and special advisors
- Nichelle Gainey, Silverstone International
- David Galbaugh, Tonia Whatley, Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- Nony Mbaezue, AIM Partners (Alpharetta, Georgia)
- Robert McKenna, Birmingham City Council liaison
- Melvin Miller, Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board
- Ray Hamilton, Reed Prince, Shelby County
- Jay Roberson, Samford Bulldogs athletic department
- Jose Rodriguez, USA Judo
- Darrell Skipper, Skipper Consulting
- Shelia Smoot
- Chris Woods, C. W. Woods Contracting Services
World Games
At the invitation of Ron Froehlich, a former president of the International World Games Association, the city sent a delegation to the 2013 World Games in Cali, Colombia and submitted a bid in 2014 to host the 2021 World Games. Birmingham was selected ahead of Lima, Peru and Ufa, Russia in an announcement on January 22, 2015. Due to the COVID pandemic the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021 and the World Games were postponed to 2022.
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. "Birmingham, Alabama, mayor wants Olympics in 2020". The Birmingham News
- Scarbinsky, Kevin (June 23, 2008) "Mayor Larry Langford needs vision checked - Birmingham not ready for Olympics." The Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (June 25, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford serious about landing 2020 Olympics." The Birmingham News
- Stock, Erin (July 16, 2008) "Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford proposes paying the Alabama Sports Festival up to $250,000 to implement plan for 2020 Summer Olympics." The Birmingham News
- Stock, Erin (July 16, 2008) "Head of Alabama Sports Festival will work as volunteer to bring Olympics to Birmingham." The Birmingham News
- Brown, Robbie (August 23, 2008) "Mayor Pushes Skeptical Birmingham to Dream on an Olympic Scale." The New York Times
- Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (September 18, 2008) "Mayor Langford, Creel announce members of the Birmingham 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee." The Birmingham News