The Olympic rings take form inside Fisht Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS)Super Bowl XLIX is now less than two weeks away and will be the second Super Bowl hosted in the Phoenix area in the last decade; the University of Phoenix stadium hosted Super Bowl XLII in 2008.
During these two times, the hosting process has become a well-oiled machine, the success of which begs the question of whether or not Phoenix might throw its hat into the ring to host even bigger events, i.e. the Olympic Games.
Boston was recently named the U.S. submission for the 2024 Olympic Games. Next time around, Phoenix should be seriously considered.
Now it may not be realistic or probable, but there are some merits to the idea of Phoenix hosting the Olympics.
The primary concern is always whether or not the host city has the existing infrastructure and venues to host such an event.
Between U.S. Airways Center, University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena, Sun Devil Stadium and Wells Fargo Arena, Phoenix and the surrounding areas have a plethora of venues to hold all sorts of events.
The only necessity that is obviously lacking would be a venue to host swimming and diving events, a hole that could easily be remedied.
In addition to the existing venues, Phoenix has a strong public transit system that would allow for easy transportation of tourists and athletes.
Between the light rail and plethora of Valley bus systems, transportation around the city isn't a problem even under the added strain of incoming tourists. We've seen this once before and will experience it a second time in several weeks.
Additionally, Sky Harbor International Airport provides an international airport for ease of travel. The lack of an international airport in the surrounding area is often the biggest knock for prospective cities but, according to USA Today Travel, Sky Harbor is the ninth busiest airport in the country.
As a prime tourist destination, there are a plethora of hotels and resorts that could house incoming fans and supporters. There will be no issue of overcrowding.
There is the slight problem of the weather. Phoenix's dangerously high heat is the biggest knock on its potential Olympics bid.
When the Russian city of Sochi hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, many feared the extreme cold known to those areas could cause a serious problem for the event. Thankfully those worries were moot as the season was relatively mild, but you can't assume the same would happen for the Phoenix summer.
Between 110-plus degree heat, monsoons and occasional haboobs, the weather conditions in the Valley is the biggest hazard and obstacle to overcome.
But the experience and the ready-made infrastructure, Phoenix seems to be an ideal fit for the Olympic games. It would certainly be worth considering next time around.
Reach the columnist at icbeck@asu.edu or follow @ICBeck21 on Twitter
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter
