California, Nevada team up for Tahoe Olympics bid

Makes sense since the region straddles the two states, but California and Nevada officials announced Thursday that they are joining forces to lure the Winter Games back to Lake Tahoe in 2022.

The return of the games to Lake Tahoe would mark the first time the games have been in the U.S. since Salt Lake City in 2002. Squaw Valley, a resort on the California side of Lake Tahoe, hosted the Winter games in 1960. The pristine mountain lake is surrounded by ski resorts on the California and Nevada sides.

In a statement provided to the Associated Press, officials from both states announced the merger of two separate state committees that had been exploring a possible bid for the Olympics.

“Our new committee is the evolution of years of work by many people, and if the United States Olympic Committee decides to bid on the 2022 Winter Games, we will be ready to showcase the Tahoe region’s scenic majesty and winter games capabilities,” Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki said in a statement.

Salt Lake City and Denver also are vying for the 2022 Winter Games. Bozeman, Mont., also has expressed an interest in bidding for 2022.