Florida Offers To Replace Tokyo As 2021 Olympics Host

A Florida official is asking for the 2021 Olympic Games to be hosted in the Sunshine State rather than Tokyo, Japan, according to Reuters.

Jimmy Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer, wrote a letter this week to the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), requesting to relocate the games to the state. This comes amid ongoing speculation that Tokyo organizers may pull out as hosts due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is still time to deploy a site selection team to Florida to meet with statewide and local officials on holding the Olympics in the Sunshine State,” Patronis said in the letter to IOC President Thomas Bach. “I would welcome the opportunity to pitch Florida and help you make the right contacts to get this done.”

The official also pointed to Florida's vaccination rollout and previous hosting of several sporting events during the pandemic, including the NBC playoffs. “Whatever precautions are required let’s figure it out and get it done,” Patronis wrote.

The IOC, however, told Reuters that they did not get a letter from Patronis and remains committed to having the Olympics in Tokyo this year. The Games were supposed to happen in 2020, but they were delayed due to the the virus outbreak. It's scheduled to occur from July 23 to August 8 this year.

The committee also said it's "virtually impossible" to relocate the event within six months of its scheduled opening ceremony with all the planning and preparations needed.

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