The Olympic movement focuses more on building legacies for tomorrow. Imagine the legacy that Florida could build by hosting the Olympic games.
By Sean Ashby
As the International Olympic Committee looks to move from a city based event, to a region based event, the leaders of Florida should be looking to step up.
If Los Angeles is not awarded the bid to host in 2024, Florida would be a top contender to host the 2028 Olympics. Our existing venues, hotels, and college campuses are some of the best, if not best, in the United States.
By hosting the Olympics, Floridians could continue to show the world that we are a world leader in athletics, tourism. Past that, we have been rated as one of the most culturally diverse and inclusive regions in the entire world.
Our largest hurdle to overcome would be providing a transportation system to effectively and efficiently move people around the state. It is possible that high-speed rail projects like All Aboard Florida, which would span the state, could be completed and in full swing by 2028 or sooner.
Providing new and innovative transportation opportunities around Florida for an Olympic games would create jobs and greatly needed infrastructure fix-ups, to be used for decades to come.
The Olympic movement focuses more on building legacies for tomorrow. Imagine the legacy that Florida could build. Inspiring kids today to be future leaders and the champions of tomorrow. We would be creating new international business opportunities for Florida’s business community.
This is a legacy we can all build together, we just have to make the ask.
Sean Ashby is a respected Orange County educator and former candidate for the Florida House of Representatives.
