LAS VEGAS TO PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SOCCER/FUTBOL COMPETITION
IN A LOS ANGELES 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES
Eight to 12 Games Anticipated at Sam Boyd Stadium Should LA Win Bid
LAS VEGAS – March 27, 2007 – As the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) nears decision day on the U.S. candidate city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, organizers of the Los Angeles 2016 bid today joined Las Vegas civic leaders to detail the role of the city and Sam Boyd Stadium in the bid, highlighting a program that would include eight to 12 preliminary round soccer/futbol competitions.
Las Vegas and Sam Boyd Stadium would serve as one of the five venues for soccer, with attendance projections calling for 250,000 to 480,000 fans to view the Las Vegas based games.
“Las Vegas is a exiting and glamorous city, and Sam Boyd Stadium has hosted significant soccer matches in the past,” said Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) Chairman Barry Sanders. “The City, Convention and Visitors Authority and Las Vegas Events have been supportive throughout this process and we are very confident Las Vegas will be both a desirable destination and tremendous host for Olympic fans.”
“There is no bigger International event than the Olympic Games,” said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. “We are pleased to partner with Los Angeles in this bid and are prepared to welcome the athletes and fans in true Las Vegas style for the 2016 competition.”
It is anticipated that Las Vegas would host both men’s and woman’s preliminary matches. Other soccer venues included in the bid are in San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles.
“Las Vegas is a city of world-class entertainment and events, and the opportunity to be a part of the Los Angeles bid was an easy decision,” said Las Vegas Events President Pat Christenson. “The bid features fantastic venues for all sports and we are very pleased to include Sam Boyd Stadium and Las Vegas in that list.”
Sam Boyd Stadium as currently configured can accommodate 32,000 fans. The facility has the ability to be expanded to 40,000 capacity.
“We welcome the world each and every day in Las Vegas,” said Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter. “Should Los Angeles be awarded the 2016 Games, we are certain the resorts, attractions and people of Las Vegas will reinforce its position as a leading sporting events destination and provide a memorable experience for Olympic visitors.”
Los Angeles is one of just two U.S. cities remaining in competition to be the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) candidate to the International Olympic Committee to host the 2016 Games. The SCCOG’s bid plans were submitted to the USOC on January 22. The USOC has said that it will make a final decision on April 14, 2007.
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