U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer says his office is participating in early discussions about a possible joint Lake Placid-New York City bid for the 2042 Winter Olympics.
The Senate Democratic leader highlighted the effort during a visit to the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, pointing to Lake Placid's winter sports facilities and New York City's stadiums.
New York state is considering whether to pursue a bid, and Schumer said he supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's feasibility work. No formal bid, cost estimate or site plan was announced.
Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. The community retains alpine and sliding facilities tied to that history and has continued investing in international winter sports venues.
Schumer said a combined bid could use those facilities alongside venues in New York City. His release did not identify which events would be assigned to each location.
The senator also linked the exploration to the 1980 U.S. men's Olympic hockey team, whose victory over the Soviet Union became known as the "Miracle on Ice." The team later defeated Finland to win the gold medal.
Congress passed legislation sponsored by Schumer to award the 1980 team a Congressional Gold Medal. One of the medals is to be displayed at the Lake Placid Olympic Center.
Schumer previously worked to end a federal tax on the value of Olympic medals and related victory payments. He began that effort after a 2016 visit to the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid.
Any 2042 bid would require further planning, coordination with Olympic officials and decisions about financing and venue use.
An exploratory committee is evaluating whether the two regions could support the competition at the required scale. Schumer said his office intends to assist that review, but the release did not provide a deadline for deciding whether New York will advance a proposal.
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