Governor Hochul Convenes First Meeting to Advance Evaluation of 2042 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the full membership of the Lake Placid–New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee, with nearly 90 members. The committee held its first full meeting in New York City today, marking the next phase of an evaluation of the feasibility of hosting a future Games in New York State.
Governor Hochul also announced $2.5 million in State funding to support the Monument to a Miracle project, permanent tributes to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team and Five-Time Gold Medalist Eric Heiden.
“New York is an Olympic State. We have the history, we have the venues, and we have a passion for sports that’s second to none,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, I’ve assembled a team of the best and the brightest in sports, government, business and community leadership from all corners of the state to ensure we are in the best position possible to build a roadmap to bring the Olympic flame back to New York.”
Building on the Governor's June announcement of the Committee's leadership group and subcommittee co-chairs, the full Committee brings together leaders from government, business, sports and community organizations. The Committee will examine the opportunities, challenges and long-term considerations associated with a potential 2042 Winter Games in New York State.
Full Exploratory Committee Membership
The following individuals are serving on the Lake Placid–New York City Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Exploratory Committee.
Leadership Group
Ashley Walden (Chair), Olympic Regional Development Authority
Martin Brennan, Office of U.S. Senator Schumer
Assemblymember Robert Carroll
Jarred Jones, Office of U.S. Senator Gillibrand
Deputy Mayor Jackie Kelly, Village of Lake Placid
Secretary to the Governor Karen Persichilli Keogh, NYS Executive Chamber
Commissioner Hope Knight, Empire State Development
Deputy Mayor Julie Su, City of New York
Games Operations Subcommittee
Marissa Shorenstein (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
Andrew Weibrecht (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Mirror Lake Inn
Jeff Byrne
Kelly Cheeseman, NY Islanders and UBS Arena
Claire DelNegro, FIL - International Luge Federation
Tom Harris, Times Square Alliance
Jill Lafer, 92NY
Alex Lasry, FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee
Martina Lussi, Grandview Lake Placid
John Morgan, JFM Sports
Laura Pegula, Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres
Jeff Potter, Monument to a Miracle
Carlo Scissura, New York Building Congress
Edward Smith, New York Athletic Club
Craig Weatherup
Tom Wright, Regional Plan Association
Finance Subcommittee
Serge Abergel (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Hydro-Quebec Energy Services
Peter Land (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Media Consultant and New York University
Cali Brooks, Adirondack Community Foundation
Greg Carey, Goldman Sachs
Josh Cohen, NY Mets
John Collins, NY Islanders
Sharon Greenberger, YMCA of Greater New York
David Heidercorn, L Catterton
Reed Miller, High Peaks Resort
Bruce Monette Jr., Adirondack Energy Products
James Patchett, Gilbane Development Company
Paul Pogge, IMA Financial Group
Julie Samuels, Tech:NYC
Rob Speyer, Tishman Speyer
Blake G. Washington, NYS Division of the Budget
Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson, Town of Keene
Ann Wool, United Entertainment Group
Legal Subcommittee
Anthony Crowell (Subcommittee Co-Chair), New York Law School
Robert Landau (Subcommittee Co-Chair), NBCUniversal
Jarrod Bernstein, Morrison Cohen
James Bilsborrow, Weitz & Luxenberg
Rick Cotton
Elizabeth Fine, Liz Fine Advisory LLC
Adrienne A. Harris, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Walter Kane, Cary Kane PLLC
Bill Kissel, Of Counsel Norfolk Beier
Randy Levine, New York Yankees
Alex McKhann, Chelsea Piers Foundation
Stephanie Pianka, Adirondack Community Foundation
Community Engagement Subcommittee
Grace Bonilla (Subcommittee Co-Chair), United Way of New York City
James McKenna (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Uihlein Foundation
Katie Brennan, Village of Lake Placid
Victor Calise, Walmart
John Calvelli, Wildlife Conservation Society
Adele Connors, Point Positive
Gary Gertzog, Fanatics
Dan Kelting, Paul Smith’s College
Pat Kiernan, Spectrum News NY1
Tuffy Latour, Bobsled/Skeleton Coach
Rich Maroko, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO
Frankie Miranda, Hispanic Federation
Manny Pastreich, 32BJ SEIU
Abby Praetorius, North Country Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Rigie, New York City Hospitality Alliance
Elinor Tatum, New York Amsterdam News
Maria Torres-Springer, Charles H. Revson Foundation
L. Joy Williams, NAACP New York State Conference
Strategic Advisors Subcommittee
D. Billy Jones (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Clinton Community College
Joe Martens (Subcommittee Co-Chair), Olympic Regional Development Authority
Rebecca Dayton, Olympic Regional Development Authority
Fred Dixon, NYC Tourism + Conventions
Commissioner Mike Flynn, NYC Department of Transportation
Steve Fulop, Partnership for New York City
Executive Director Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority of NY and NJ
Andrew Heinrich, Project Rousseau
James Katz, NYS Executive Chamber
Andrew Kimball, New York University
Erik Kulleseid, Open Space Institute
Kevin Law, Empire State Development
Ross Levi, NYS Division of Tourism / Empire State Development
Darcy Norfolk Rowe, Olympic Regional Development Authority
Emma Pfohman, Association for a Better New York
Basil Seggos, Foley Hoag
Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, NYS Department of Transportation
Tait Wardlaw, Olympic Regional Development Authority
“New York is an Olympic State. We have the history, we have the venues, and we have a passion for sports that’s second to none." Governor Kathy Hochul
Exploratory Committee Begins Its Work
First announced in June, the Exploratory Committee is examining whether a modern, regionally coordinated Winter Games concept connecting Lake Placid and New York City could be feasible under the International Olympic Committee's current hosting requirements.
The Committee is guided by a Leadership Group chaired by Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Ashley Walden and supported by five subcommittees focused on Games Operations, Finance, Legal, Community Engagement and Strategic Advisors.
The full Committee convened October 19 at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan for briefings on the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, perspectives from Milano Cortina 2026, and Lake Placid and New York City's experience hosting major events, most recently the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Over the course of the exploratory process, members will examine Lake Placid and New York’s existing infrastructure and operational capabilities, financial and governance models, and opportunities for a multi-region Winter Games concept to deliver long-term community and economic benefits. The Committee will engage communities across the state and solicit public input to shape the findings and recommendations outlined in its final report.
The exploratory process is expected to continue over approximately one year, with findings and recommendations provided to State leadership for review. The effort is not a formal Olympic or Paralympic bid, and no final decision has been made to pursue hosting.
Secretary to the Governor Karen Persichilli Keogh said, “Governor Hochul has brought together trusted leaders from all corners of the state and a wide range of fields to carefully examine what a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games could mean for New York. Today, we’re taking our first step towards understanding the opportunities that can come from hosting the Olympics and that includes taking the time to listen to communities from Buffalo to Montauk to hear their voices and thoughts on bringing the Olympics back to this great state.”
Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO and Exploratory Committee Chair Ashley Walden said, “Lake Placid's Olympic venues remain active centers for international competition, athlete development, and recreation. Combined with New York City's extensive experience and resources, they provide a strong foundation for this exploration. The Committee's work will help us understand how these assets could support a modern Winter Games concept and what that could mean for New York's long-term Olympic legacy.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “No other place captures the diversity, valor, energy, and competitive spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games like New York. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, this exploratory committee brings together the expertise and vision to evaluate how a future Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games could deliver lasting economic benefits across the Empire State. Together, we will explore opportunities to welcome visitors from across the globe, showcase our world-class destinations and support local businesses. I am honored and excited to work with this team to craft a global event that strengthens regional economies and inspires visitors to discover all that New York has to offer.”
New York City Deputy Mayor Julie Su said, “This summer, New York showed the world that we can not only host a major sporting event, but compete with the best of them. Today’s Olympic exploratory committee launch is about building upon that legacy, identifying new growth opportunities, and making sure working people are at the center of every effort — big or small.”
Lake Placid Mayor Art Devlin said, “Lake Placid is excited for the Exploratory Committee to be having their first face-to-face meeting. With the recent upgrades to our Olympic venues, our facilities are amongst the best in the world and are ready to go. Lake Placid is very proud to have hosted the 1932 and 1980 games and are looking forward to the possibility of adding a third Olympics to our heritage.”
Building on New York's Olympic Legacy
Lake Placid hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1932 and 1980 and continues to welcome international competitions, national teams and visitors from around the world. More than $750 million in State investments has modernized the region's Olympic sports infrastructure, supporting year-round recreation, athlete development and international competition.
Together with New York City's global connectivity, world-class venues, hospitality capacity and experience hosting major international events, these existing assets provide a foundation for exploring a modern, regional approach to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
$2.5 Million for Monument to a Miracle
Governor Hochul also announced $2.5 million in State funding to support Monument to a Miracle, a project commemorating two historic achievements of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games: the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team’s Miracle on Ice victory and Eric Heiden’s unprecedented five speed skating gold medals.
The $5.2 million project will feature 20 life-sized bronze figures with a gold patina celebrating atop a granite victory podium outside the Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid where the Miracle on Ice took place. The monument will include the team members' names, quotes from legendary coach Herb Brooks and interactive podium sections designed for visitor photographs. The project also includes a separate statue honoring Eric Heiden.
Scheduled for unveiling in February 2030, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, the monument will preserve the legacy of the Miracle on Ice and create a lasting experience for future generations of visitors, athletes and fans.
President of the Friends of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team Jeff Potter said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul and New York State for this important investment in preserving Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy. These two monuments honoring the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team and five-time Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden will celebrate extraordinary achievements from the 1980 Winter Games. Together, they will ensure these remarkable stories continue to inspire future generations.”
Assemblymember Robert Carroll said, “For years, I have worked to advance a New York City–Lake Placid Winter Games that connects our urban and rural communities and builds on the extraordinary venues we already have. I’m excited to take this next step, and I thank Governor Hochul for bringing together the expertise and leadership to move this vision forward. Together, we will examine how to deliver Olympic and Paralympic Games that use existing venues and temporary facilities, protect taxpayers, preserve our environment and, most importantly, create lasting opportunities for New Yorkers from Brooklyn to Lake Placid.”
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