The Lasting Impact of the Olympics on Lake Placid

Arriving to Lake Placid for the first time, I was mildly surprised by the town. I’ve been going to the Adirondack’s for years, specifically the Fulton Chain Lakes region. It appeared much more developed and modern than the Adirondack’s image that I was used to. I began wondering why this town was so different than what I was used to, and I concluded that the 1932 and 1980 Olympic games were one of the contributing factors. The impact of the Olympics on the town of Lake Placid truly transformed this Adirondack town, bringing with it money for the economy and infrastructure for the town.

The Bid Committee for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games was determined to have the games held in Lake Placid. Between 1948 and 1974, the committee submitted 7 national and 6 international bids to host the games, and their goal was to create a long-term economic gain for the region. Norm Hess, chair of the 1980 committee, said that the motivation for hosting the games was “community spirit, to update the winter sports facilities and create programs for the younger generation, and to establish Lake Placid as a winter sports center, as a means to boost the local economy.” He and the other members of the committee certainly succeeded in meeting those goals.

            Whether it’s the T-Shirts in the souvenir shop or the “Welcome to Lake Placid” sign, the Olympics’ mark on Lake Placid is visible all throughout the town.  The Games lead to the redevelopment of past facilities and new investments. Majority of lodging facilities upgraded the quality of their facilities during this time. And after the 1980 games, the tourism economy has doubled. The quality resort experience, which I was able to experience this past weekend, is due to the investments made for the games. Personally, I was most impressed by the modern, well up kept building throughout the main street of town, which you normally don’t see in the Adirondacks.

http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/01/moon-boots-miracles-olympics-impact-lake-placid.html

            As a result of the 1980 games, New York state has provided ongoing commitment to the sports venues. A year after the games, the state and town worked together to create the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). This organization is responsible for maintaining, managing and promoting all of the town and state owned Olympic venues. Today, this organization is still provided financial support from the state and continues to provide employment opportunities for locals.

Olympic Ski Jumps in Lake Placid, NY. Photo taken 2/21/2016.

            In addition to the economical impacts, the Olympic Games has left a lasting impact on the culture of the town. The youth of the town have unique access and awareness of the winter sports. Because the people in the region of access to the unique winter sport facilities and the area’s heritage, the region often sends athletes to the Olympic games. In fact, the Adirondack region has sent athletes to every single Olympic Winter Games since 1924, when Charles Jewtraw won the first gold medal at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France.            

            Lake Placid, Adirondacks is a unique town with an amazing history. I suggest to anyone who’s in the area to make the trip to visit this Olympian town, it’s definitely worthwhile!

Sources: http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2014/01/moon-boots-miracles-olympics-impact-lake-placid.html