The Winter Olympics are upon us once again. Athletes and spectators from around the world are heading to Sochi, but most of us will be viewing the games at home on TV. What if during the next Olympics, though, you could be one of the fans cheering from the sidelines instead of watching from your couch? When plans are formed about who will host future winter games, I can think of one place that would be perfect: Minnesota.

This winter has been very true to Minnesota’s reputation for ice and snow. We faithful Minnesotans would definitely brave the cold to go out and support our athletes during the games! We also participate in many winter sports, Minnetonka high schoolers being a good example of this. We’ve got Nordic and alpine skiers, hockey players, figure skaters, and snowboarders. Minnesota is also a hotbed for curling, making up 6 members of this year’s U.S. team.

Minnesota also has plenty of venues for the games (unlike Sochi, which

spent $51 billion on constructing buildings and courses for this year’s games). The future Vikings stadium could serve as the location for the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Xcel Center is perfect for hockey games and figure skating, and we’ve got a ski jump near Hyland Hills. We don’t have a mountain for the ski races, but if Buck Hill was good enough for Lindsey Vonn, you’d think the other skiers could deal, right?

                Minnesota is also known for producing and raising its share of Winter Olympians. This year, Minnesota is sending 19 athletes to the games. One familiar face is Zach Parise, who currently plays for the Minnesota Wild. The youngest athlete representing Minnesota is Lee Stecklein, a 19-year-old from Roseville who will be playing on the women’s hockey team. The oldest Minnesotan in the games is Allison Pottinger, a 40-year-old from Eden Prairie and an alternate on the curling team. Overall, Minnesota will have 15 hockey players, 6 curlers, 2 speed skaters, 2 cross-country skiers, 1 biathlete, and 1 free skier competing in Sochi.

                Think of the benefits there would be if we hosted the games: new jobs would be created, we’d generate plenty of income, and we’d get to see world class athletes competing against each other in person, something not many can say they’ve experienced. Also, we might even get some days off school.

We’ve got the weather, the venues, the athletes, and the fans perfect for the Winter Olympics. Minnesotans would be lining up to cheer on their athletes, and the games would have a positive impact on Minnesota’s economy.

When you’re watching the games on TV during these next two weeks, imagine sitting in the stands and cheering on your fellow Minnesotans…it could be a reality in the coming years.