New York-Lake Placid Winter Olympics Buzz Grows After Italy Success

Assemblyman says Italy's two-site model for 2026 Winter Games proves concept can work

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An idea for a New York City and Lake Placid Winter Olympics is gaining momentum after the successful hosting of the 2026 Winter Games across two sites in Italy - Milan and Cortina. New York state Assemblyman Robert Carroll visited Cortina and says Italy's model shows a two-location Olympics can be viable.

Why it matters

Hosting the Winter Olympics has become increasingly challenging and expensive for cities, leading to fewer bids. The success of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, split between Milan and Cortina, has reignited interest in a potential New York-Lake Placid bid that could leverage existing infrastructure and facilities.

The details

Assemblyman Carroll noted the relatively short distance between the two Italian host cities, similar to the proximity of New York City and Lake Placid in New York state. This two-site model allowed Italy to utilize existing infrastructure and facilities in both locations, reducing costs. Carroll believes a similar approach could work for New York, with New York City hosting the majority of events and Lake Placid hosting the traditional winter sports.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics were held in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
  • Assemblyman Carroll visited Cortina to observe the two-site model.

The players

Robert Carroll

A New York state Assemblyman who visited Cortina, Italy to observe the two-site hosting model for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Italy offers a clear example that a two-site Winter Olympics can work, and I believe New York could pull off a similar model with New York City and Lake Placid.”

— Robert Carroll, New York State Assemblyman

What’s next

Assemblyman Carroll plans to further explore the feasibility of a New York-Lake Placid Winter Olympics bid, including discussions with local and state officials.

The takeaway

The successful 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy has reignited interest in a potential New York-Lake Placid bid, demonstrating that a two-site model can be an effective and cost-efficient way to host the Winter Games in the future.