olympics

Detroit just can't support a bid for the 2024 Olympics, says Mayor Bing

Mark Brush — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:20:58 +0000

Detroit was one of 35 cities to receive a letter from the U.S. Olympic Committee asking for a bid on the 2024 Olympics.

ABC News reported the letters were sent "to gauge the interest of cities that may have the ability to host an event with the scope and scale of the Olympic Games."

Maybe they haven't been reading the headlines about Detroit lately.

Mayor Bing politely declined their invitation this morning.

Here's his statement:

“While we appreciate the opportunity and recognize that we have successfully hosted many major sporting events, including the NCAA Final Four; MLB All-Star Game; NFL Super Bowl; two World Series; and nine NHL Stanley Cup finals, this decision is not an easy one. With our rich history of hosting major events and Detroit’s prime location on an international border, we recognize that this makes Detroit an appealing candidate to potentially host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
"However, the bid calls for a $10 million upfront bid process payment and adding more than a $3 billion operating budget commitment -- not including cost associated with venue construction and other infrastructure cost.
"Unfortunately, due to the timing and uncertainty of Detroit’s long-term financial stability, we must respectfully decline to participate.”

Some supporters aren't giving up.

On the "Detroit 2024 Summer Olympic Games Support" Facebook page, this was posted:

Pay no attention to what Mayor Dave Bing said about Detroit not bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. We all agree that he won't be Mayor of Detroit next year. Financial issues or not the Detroit Olympic Movement will keep moving.

The astounding success of Southeast Michigan skaters

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:57:01 +0000

In less than two weeks on March 10th, the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships will begin in London, Ontario.

That means the eyes of the world will be on a couple of University of Michigan students who have been hailed as one of the greatest American teams in the history of ice dancing.

Five-time national champions, silver medalists in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, 2011 world champions and four-time Grand Prix Final champions.

It’s no exaggeration to say these individuals helped to make Southeast Michigan the ice-dance capital of America.

Today we spoke with Meryl Davis and Charlie White who shared the secret to the astounding success of Southeast Michigan skaters.

To hear the full story click the audio link above.

There are two ways you can podcast "Stateside with Cynthia Canty"

Flint's favorite daughter: Claressa Shields takes gold

Kate Wells — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:09:49 +0000

Seventeen-year-old Claressa Shields has won the first US women’s gold medal in boxing.

And her hometown of Flint is celebrating. Residents came together to watch Claressa’s triumph in a standing-room-only bar downtown. Everyone was there, from the mayor, to families with babies strapped into high chairs.

Going for the gold: Flint's Claressa Shields heads to final match

Kate Wells — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:12:42 +0000

Flint’s Olympic female boxer Claressa Shields will fight for a gold medal. The boxer's family and friends gathered to watch their hometown athlete in her semifinal match this morning.

It was an all-out brawl of a fight, fast and breathless and dominated by Shields. She took down Kazakhstan’s Marina Volnova 29 to 15.

DeWitt teen wins second straight national gymnastics title

The Associated Press — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 23:23:48 +0000

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Jordyn Wieber's winning streak is still going after she claimed her second straight title at the U.S. gymnastics championships Sunday.

GM plans to advertise during Super Bowl, 2012 Olympics

Steve Carmody — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:26:42 +0000

General Motors is stepping up its advertising budget for major sporting events. GM says it has reached a deal with NBC to be the exclusive domestic automotive advertiser during the 2012 London Olympics.

General Motors invested heavily in Olympic advertising in the past, but that spending dipped as the automaker has struggled in recent years.