Could Music City Host The Summer Olympic Games? - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

by Chris Cannon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Could Nashville be selected to host the Olympic Games? Music City is one of 35 U.S. cities that are at least getting an invitation.  The U.S. Olympic Committee has reached out to those cities to see if they're interested in submitting a proposal to host the Olympic Summer Games in 2024.

Mayor Karl Dean received the official letter from the U.S.O.C. on Tuesday.

"We are certainly flattered that we were sent the letter asking us to bid on the Olympics," Mayor Dean said Wednesday afternoon.

Nashville's Mayor was not the only one the U.S.O.C. contacted.

"I understand that 35 other cities got the same letter," said Dean. "It is something that is a tremendous commitment for any city to consider."

The letter lists the requirements to host the Olympics, and they are extensive and expensive. 45,000 hotel rooms would be needed, an Olympic Village to house 16,500 athletes with a 5,000 seat dining hall, operations space for 15,000 members of the media, an international airports that can handle tens of thousands of passengers, and up a 200,000 person workforce during the games.

The Mayor told NewsChannel 5 he doesn't want to close the door on anything.

"It's something that we will have to think about and analyze. But at this point I would say, we're just honored to be asked. It is a compliment to the city," Dean said.

On Lower Broadway Wednesday night there was a sense of Olympic optimism.

"I think it would be a great economy boost and tourism for Nashville," Johanna Naimoli said. "Atlanta had one, I don't see why we won't have one. So I think it's a good idea."

Nashville isn't the only Tennessee city that was contacted, Memphis was also on the list.  The whole list is below.

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