They are to contact the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), who last month sent out a letter to 35 of the country's biggest cities to try to find out which ones would like to be considered.

"Our answer is yes, and we're interested in finding out what the next steps are," Ralph Morton, executive director of the Seattle Sports Commission, told seattlepi.com.

"It's a fun discussion.

"It's a long discussion and it will be a thoughtful one.

"It will ultimately be looked at like a business decision - what is affordable and what is feasible."

Seattle, the 15th largest metropolitan area in the US, had previously considered bidding for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics but rejected the idea.

The Games were eventually awarded to London.

"Seattle is a world-class city," said Morton.

"This is a city that is growing and going places.

"We're a little bit isolated out here, but it's a happenin' place."

Seattle had hosted the 1990 Goodwill Games, the second edition of the international multi-sport event created by Ted Turner.

A total of 2,312 athletes from 54 countries engaged in the 17-day programme of 21 sports.


A number of venues in the region were built or renovated for the Games, including the King County Aquatic Center, a new running track for Husky Stadium and new flooring for the Edmundson Pavilion, which hosted the basketball.

The city's famous Seattle Space Needle had a large purpose-built gold medal hung around the structure during the Games.

Morton admitted that several billions dollars worth of infrastructure projects would be required as Seattle did host the Games.

"Could this be the catalyst of what Seattle could be for the next 50 years?"

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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