2008 Woodie Awards
City offers to help bring 2016 Olympics to Chicago
Cycling and rowing possible events
Brad McAllister
Issue date: 7/4/07 Section: Arts & Lifestyle
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Southeast Wisconsin may host mountain biking and road cycling events for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games with venues in Madison or Whitewater's backyard, the Kettle Moraine.
Because Chicago was chosen by the United States Olympic Committee as this country's nomination for the 2016 Summer Games in April, officials in Walworth County are preparing a bid for several Olympic venues and training facilities.
The Walworth County Economic Development Alliance has organized a group called the Walworth County in the Games Committee.
The committee will hold meetings to analyze the economic impact the games would have on Walworth County and the tactical needs for such an event.
WCEDA Vice President Fred Burkhardt has requested a letter of endorsement from the Walworth County Board of Supervisors, The Department of Tourism and the Governor's office to accompany the committee's proposal for Chicago.
Burkhardt believes that without local support, neither the state of Wisconsin or Chicago will consider the county for the games.
Burkhardt told the Janesville Gazette that the Kettle Moraine bike trails are premier terrain for a world-level competition.
"The County has numerous assets that could be used as Olympic venues," Burkhardt said in a press release.
Mike Bettinger is a bike enthusiast who owns the LeGrange General Store and Backyard Bikes, located a mile and a half from the John Muir and Nordic bike trails in the Kettle Moraine's Southern Unit. Bettinger is also a member of the committee.
"These trails are internationally known," Bettinger said. "I think we get about 80,000-100,000 bikers per year."
There are a total of 75.7 miles of cross country skiing, biking and hiking trails in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. Bettinger said about 35 miles are mountain biking trails with varying levels of difficulty. Many of the trails are for intermediate riders.
"The beauty of the trails is that they are fast and just a lot of fun," Bettinger said.
Because Chicago was chosen by the United States Olympic Committee as this country's nomination for the 2016 Summer Games in April, officials in Walworth County are preparing a bid for several Olympic venues and training facilities.
The Walworth County Economic Development Alliance has organized a group called the Walworth County in the Games Committee.
The committee will hold meetings to analyze the economic impact the games would have on Walworth County and the tactical needs for such an event.
WCEDA Vice President Fred Burkhardt has requested a letter of endorsement from the Walworth County Board of Supervisors, The Department of Tourism and the Governor's office to accompany the committee's proposal for Chicago.
Burkhardt believes that without local support, neither the state of Wisconsin or Chicago will consider the county for the games.
Burkhardt told the Janesville Gazette that the Kettle Moraine bike trails are premier terrain for a world-level competition.
"The County has numerous assets that could be used as Olympic venues," Burkhardt said in a press release.
Mike Bettinger is a bike enthusiast who owns the LeGrange General Store and Backyard Bikes, located a mile and a half from the John Muir and Nordic bike trails in the Kettle Moraine's Southern Unit. Bettinger is also a member of the committee.
"These trails are internationally known," Bettinger said. "I think we get about 80,000-100,000 bikers per year."
There are a total of 75.7 miles of cross country skiing, biking and hiking trails in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. Bettinger said about 35 miles are mountain biking trails with varying levels of difficulty. Many of the trails are for intermediate riders.
"The beauty of the trails is that they are fast and just a lot of fun," Bettinger said.
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