Florida is offering to host the 2021 Summer Olympics amid speculation that Tokyo may withdraw from the Games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter on Monday to the International Olympic Committee, Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, outlined the state’s case to host the Games.
“Today, I am writing to encourage you to consider moving the 2021 Olympic Games from Tokyo, Japan, to the United States of America and, more specifically, to Florida,” wrote Patronis.
Patronis praised Florida’s population growth and the launch of the coronavirus vaccine when making the offer.
“Unlike other states, when the COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Florida, it is not just on the shelf wrapped up in government bureaucracy; it moves fast to protect our communities, ”wrote Patronis.
He also promoted the Republican governor. Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantisFlorida, scientist who accused the state of manipulating COVID-19 positive coronavirus data, delivers overnight Health Care Health workers refuse vaccine is growing problem | The new CDC director expects 500,000 COVID deaths by mid-February. COVID-19 testing capacity tense as localities struggle with vaccine team MOREThe company’s efforts to keep Florida’s economy open while battling COVID-19. The state has not enacted as many restrictions and blockades as other states have seen.
Florida currently has the fourth highest number of deaths in the coronavirus in the United States, while California, which had many restrictions on the coronavirus, has the second largest.
Patronis boasted of Florida’s ability to host NBA and NFL games and UFC events successfully during the pandemic. He described the opening of Disney World, an international tourist attraction, as “an incredible model of how to manage a complex organization in the middle of COVID-19”.
He added that Florida has the transportation infrastructure, hotels and health facilities needed to host such an important event.
A state of emergency was called in Japan on January 13, after the country exceeded 300,000 cases of coronavirus. Tokyo, where the Olympics are scheduled to start in July, has been a hot spot for cases since the start of the pandemic.
The world health organization said on Monday that Olympic athletes should not have priority for the coronavirus vaccine and that it should be reserved for the elderly and frontline workers.
“Whatever precautions are necessary, let’s find out and do that,” said Patronis.