Tulsa contemplating 2020 Olympic bid

Less than three months after Chicago was beaten in a bid for the 2016 Olympics, another U.S. city has increased efforts to host the Summer Games, setting its sights on 2020.

The Tulsa (Okla.) City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to consider the possibility of an Olympic bid, joining forces with big-thinking businessmen who believe the success of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta can be replicated.

Atlanta was a heavy underdog in 1990, when a $7.3 million Olympic bid produced a win against Athens, Greece; Toronto; and Melbourne, Australia. The Olympics brought more exposure to Atlanta, and Georgia’s capital got a major facelift and a $10 million profit.

Chicago spent $49.3 million before placing last in a four-city race for the 2016 Olympics, awarded to Rio de Janeiro in October. New York finished fourth in a five-city race for the 2012 Olympics, awarded to London in 2005. It was the worst back-to-back showings by the U.S. since Salt Lake City and Lake Placid, N.Y., failed in 1972 and 1968 winter bids.

The U.S. Olympic Committee didn’t bid on the 2018 Olympics – Denver probably would have been a domestic finalist. USOC chairman Larry Probst declined to commit to a 2020 Olympic bid when asked this month about the USOC’s chances.

“That’s something we’ll revisit at a future board meeting,” Probst said.

Cyclists on podium

Colorado Springs resident Katie Compton won the elite women’s race of the cyclo-cross national championships Dec. 13 in Bend, Ore. Also from the Springs, Alison Dunlap took fourth, Kelli Emmett was eighth and Darian Founds was 84th in elite; Mitchell Hoke was third and Brad Winn was 19th in Division II; and Hoke was 13th in under-23.

Etc.

Springs residents Layne Hoke, Jordan Pingel and Alexa Smith start competition Saturday at a USA Volleyball camp at the Olympic Training Center. … Springs resident Alexandra Dohm begins competition Sunday at a U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic development program tournament in Ridgeland, Miss. … Springs wrestler Tori Adams won the grappling world championships Dec. 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. … Covington & Burling LLP is serving as counsel to a USOC advisory committee that’s evaluating the USOC’s board. … USA Swimming’s foundation gave $50,000 in grants to 12 programs benefiting kids, including the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region. … The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency called for change to the “lengthy and cumbersome” regulatory process to keep steroids from the market. … U.S. Figure Skating commissioned Lookalike Productions to make a film about the 1961 world team that died in a plane crash. It also partnered with the Pioneer Fund to establish a scholarship program for figure skaters pursuing a college education.