Assembly Member Robert Carroll is currently immersing himself in the Winter Olympics atmosphere in Italy, but his ambitions extend far beyond the slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Brooklyn Democrat has been systematically exploring venues, attending competitions, and crafting a visionary proposal that could position New York State as host for its third Winter Olympic Games—this time through an unprecedented partnership between New York City and the historic village of Lake Placid.
Carroll's strategic plan targets a potential bid for the 2042 Winter Olympics, with the International Olympic Committee expected to formally invite proposals by the end of next year. His concept draws direct inspiration from the current Milan Cortina Games, which represent the first official co-hosting arrangement between two distinct municipalities. The Italian venues are separated by approximately five hours of travel time, a geographic reality that closely mirrors the distance between Manhattan and the Adirondack region.
Lake Placid occupies a revered place in Olympic history, having previously welcomed the world's premier winter athletes in 1932 and 1980. This distinguished legacy means the region already possesses substantial sports infrastructure, a considerable advantage over locations building from zero. The area's Olympic facilities have remained continuously active for international competition and elite training, providing a robust foundation for any future bid.
The dual-city partnership model embodies a modern, sustainable approach to hosting major sporting events. Carroll firmly believes New York's execution would actually surpass the Milan Cortina precedent. "They still had to build some things," he observed during an interview from Italy. "Our existing sports infrastructure is, I think, much more state of the art." This confidence derives from the unparalleled array of venue options available across both locations.
In New York City, the proposal would activate world-famous facilities including Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, UBS Arena, Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, and the U.S. Tennis Center. These arenas regularly host premier sporting events and could accommodate Olympic competitions with minimal modifications. Simultaneously, Lake Placid's recently upgraded facilities would manage mountain events and other winter-specific disciplines requiring natural snow and terrain.
A particularly striking element of Carroll's plan involves reimagining the opening ceremony location. Rather than a traditional stadium setting, he envisions the spectacular urban backdrop of Times Square for this iconic Olympic moment. Such a choice would showcase New York's unique metropolitan energy to a global audience of billions while creating an unforgettable spectacle.
The financial feasibility argument rests substantially on recent strategic investments by Governor Kathy Hochul. Her administration has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to comprehensively modernize Lake Placid's Olympic venues, most notably in preparation for the 2023 World University Games. These targeted upgrades have transformed the facilities into truly world-class, competition-ready sites capable of meeting stringent International Olympic Committee standards without additional major construction.
Critics have voiced concerns about potential hidden costs and the need for further public investment to enhance Lake Placid's hosting capacity. However, Carroll pushes back forcefully against these worries, emphasizing that the Winter Games represent approximately one-third the scale of Summer Olympics in terms of athlete numbers, events, and infrastructure requirements. The burden would also be distributed between two distinct regions, further reducing pressure on any single community.
The assemblyman acknowledges that skepticism is inevitable with any proposal of this magnitude. "There are contrarian people always," he stated, addressing arguments about expenses and logistical complexity. He distinguishes his plan from typical Summer Games bids, which historically require massive construction projects and infrastructure overhauls. By utilizing existing venues, the New York approach would avoid the debt traps that have plagued numerous Olympic host cities in recent decades.
The critical next phase involves establishing an exploratory committee to formally study the bid's viability and build consensus. Carroll sees Governor Hochul, who has demonstrated strong support for Lake Placid's athletic facilities, as the natural leader to launch this initiative. The committee would need to assemble a diverse coalition including state and local officials, business leaders, tourism experts, environmental advocates, and community representatives from both the Adirondacks and New York City.
Key tasks for the committee's first year would include comprehensive venue assessments, detailed transportation planning between the two sites, sophisticated financial modeling, extensive community engagement, and preliminary discussions with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The group must also navigate the complex technical requirements of the International Olympic Committee while building broad public support across diverse regions of the state.
The timeline is accelerating rapidly, with the IOC expected to open the formal bidding process for the 2042 Games by late next year. This gives New York approximately 18 months to prepare a compelling, competitive proposal. Success would require unprecedented coordination between the state's urban and rural communities, each contributing distinct strengths to the partnership.
Carroll's proposal represents a fundamental shift toward sustainable Olympic hosting, prioritizing existing infrastructure over new construction. This approach aligns with growing international sentiment that future Games must become more economical and environmentally responsible. If successful, it would create a replicable template for other multi-region bids worldwide.
The vision extends beyond pure athletics, promising substantial economic benefits for both regions. Lake Placid would gain invaluable international exposure and sustained tourism revenue, while New York City would add another remarkable chapter to its storied history of hosting global events. The entire state could unite around a shared identity as a premier Olympic destination.
As Carroll continues his research in Italy, he remains convinced that New York's moment will arrive. The combination of historic venues, recent strategic investments, and innovative thinking may prove irresistible to Olympic decision-makers. For now, the dream of a Times Square opening ceremony and Adirondack competitions remains in the exploratory phase, but momentum appears to be building for what could become America's most ambitious and sustainable Winter Games bid yet.