What Is the Only US State to Have Turned Down the Olympics?

Colorado was the only state to turn down the Olympics because it won an official International Olympic Committee bid. The Winter Olympics were intended to take part in Denver in 1976. 62% of people elected to not host the Olympics due to the pollution, financial impact, and population.

The Only State to Turn Down the Olympics: A Unique Decision in Sports History

In 1970, the International Olympic Committee chose Denver to host the 1976 Winter Olympics over Tampere-Finland, Sion-Switzerland, and Vancouver-Canada. Public opposition arose due to potential high costs, financial risks, and environmental impacts. During the 1972 Election Day, Colorado voters rejected a $5 million state bond for the games, even as President Richard Nixon sought re-election. After a week, Denver stepped down to host the Olympics. Hence the International Olympic Committee (IOC) forced to shift the location to Innsbruck, Austria, which hosted the 1964 Winter Olympics.

Denver and the Winter Olympics

• Colorado Governor John A.Love spoke about Colorado Springs in which he described serving as host for the Olympics in 1963.
• In the following year of the Winter Olympics, Colorado formally announced its plan to bid for the 1976 Winter Olympics and Governor John formed the Colorado Olympic Committee to learn the possibility.
• In 1966, the Colorado Advisory Commission established to support the Commission’s efforts.
• The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) selected Denver, leading to the formation of the Denver Organizing Committee (DOC) for the 1976 Winter Olympics in 1967. Colorado became an official participant in the 1976 Winter Olympics bid. Lake Placid, New York, Utah, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Washington were other candidates.
• Denver Organizing Committee(DOC) diplomats took part in the Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France, and also attended the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico in 1968.
• The officials created the Colorado Olympic logo in the same year.
• The International Olympic Committee(IOC) selected Denver as the host for the XII Winter Olympic Games(1976.) on May 12, 1970. By defeating countries like Switzerland(Sion), Finland(Tampere), and Canada(Vancouver), Denver won the bid.
• Thirty-seven countries took part in the 1976 Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympic Games is considered a major international multi-sport event organized once every four years, games played on ice and snow.