Topic of Olympic Proportions Has New Yorkers Thinking Big

Although the idea is still only a gleam in their eyes, leaders of New York’s public and private sectors said Wednesday they are contemplating a bid for the Summer Olympics.

They advanced the notion on the opening day of the annual U.S. Olympic Congress during a breakfast to announce the July 25-Aug. 9 dates for the 1998 Goodwill Games, which were awarded last year to New York.

“With the objective to stage the very best Goodwill Games possible, part of the legacy will be an appraisal of our capabilities to bid on and host the Olympic Games,” said Robert M. Johnson, publisher of Newsday, who this week became the organizing committee chairman.

“With the Atlanta Olympic Games of 1996 on the horizon and a strong bid for the Winter Olympic Games of 2002 under way by Salt Lake City, it is unreasonable to consider mounting an Olympic bid effort at this time.

“However, a successful Goodwill Games will inevitably lead to serious discussion of an Olympic bid sometime in the first quarter of the 21st Century.”

Other U.S. cities that have expressed interest in bidding for the Summer Olympics early in the next century are Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, St. Louis and Seattle. Until the International Olympic Committee gave the nod to Atlanta for 1996, the Los Angeles Committee for the Olympic Games was targeting 2004.

Matt Scheckner, executive director of the New York City Sports Commission, said such discussion is premature.

“It’s fun to talk about, but let’s be rational,” he said.