January 16 - Reno-Tahoe officials hoping to launch a bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics claim that they are encouraged by the appointment of new United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chief executive Scott Blackmun (pictured) and the fact that he has indicated he would be willing to back trying to bring the Games back to the US.



The US has not staged the Olympics since Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Games in 2002 and Chicago's bid to stage the 2016 Summer Olympics ended in embarrassment last year when they were voted out in the first round of voting as they were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.
 
The Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition (RTWGC), a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing the Olympics to the area, have now promised to step-up their campaign.

Brian Krolicki, the chairman of RTWGC, said: "This is great news for us, particularly those who have worked on our bid effort for many years.

"It is even more exciting to hear this week, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Squaw Valley Games."

Jon Killoran, the chief executive of RTWCG, said: "This statement by the USOC’s top leadership can only help our bid effort.

"Interest and support has been growing throughout our region and this announcement will go a long way to enhancing our opportunities."

Denver have also expressed an interest in bidding for the 2022 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee are due to make a decision in 2015.
 

Related stories
January 2010: Blackmun vows to restore creditability with Olympic Movement
January 2010: Golden Jubilee celebrations to highlight Reno-Tahoe 2022 Olympic bid
October 2009: Reno-Tahoe look to 2022 after USOC refuse to put forward bid for 2018 Winter Olympics