Raleigh wants to host the games in the year 2007, and it would be amassive undertaking. Currently, state and local leaders have nine monthsto put a maximum 600-page proposal together.
The proposal is expected to include information on such things astransportation, volunteers, climate and accommodations.
Hosting the games would mean more than 6,000 athletes from more than 40countries in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean wouldparticipate in 38 sports at Triangle facilities. The Pan American Gamesare held in the summer prior to the Olympic Games.
Officials say the effort is worth it.If Raleigh should winthe opportunity to host the games, it could mean hundreds of millions ofdollars would come into the Triangle.
At Wednesday's formal announcement, Governor Jim Hunt told leaders fromDurham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh that if the three cities work together asa region, the Triangle would have a chance at winning the bid.
There was a great deal of talk about a spirit of cooperation betweenthe three Triangle cities. Sporting venues from all three cities wouldplay a key role. There was some controversy concerning whether Chapel Hilland Durham were only invited because of what they could contribute.
Durham's new mayor said all the cities have been included in all theplanning stages leading up to Wednesday's announcement, and that theproposal would be a joint project.
The US Olympic Committee will name the US candidate city in April,1999. Also competing for the 2007 games are Houston, Miami and SanAntonio. The winner of that selection would then compete against winningcities in other countries in the hemisphere.
The official host city will be announced in the spring of 2002.Reporter:Betsy sykesPhotographer:Mark Copeland
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