New York state is moving forward with plans to explore a bid for the 2042 Winter Olympics, potentially marking the return of the games to the region for the first time since 1980. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the formation of an exploratory committee on Monday to assess the feasibility of hosting the event, which would feature competitions split between Lake Placid and New York City, following a model similar to the dual-city arrangement used for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

The 1980 Winter Olympics, held in Lake Placid, remain famous for the U.S. hockey team’s unexpected victory over the Soviet Union in what is known as the “Miracle on Ice.” If successful, the 2042 bid would bring the Winter Games back to Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy and introduce first-time winter events in New York City, leveraging the city’s global profile and infrastructure.

“Milano Cortina showcased the immense possibility that comes with a dual city Olympic Games,” Hochul said. “It’s clear we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build on Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy, New York City’s global platform and the strengths that make our state unique.”

Mayor Antonio Mamdani, speaking at a separate event, expressed enthusiasm for early engagement in the planning process, emphasizing the importance of capturing the right atmosphere for such a large-scale event. “When anyone asks me about the Winter Olympics, the first thing that comes to mind is feel the rhythm, feel the vibe,” Mamdani said.

The exploratory committee includes representatives from state and city governments alongside key figures from public and private sectors. Assemblyman Bobby Carroll, a Brooklyn Democrat involved in spearheading the initiative, highlighted this year’s Milan-Cortina games as a successful example of how to manage winter events across two locations. Carroll suggested that it was time for “another miracle” in New York, referencing the 1980 hockey victory.

Andrew Weibrecht, a two-time Olympic medalist and co-chair of the games operations subcommittee within the exploratory panel, underscored New York’s existing strengths, noting its infrastructure and investments in winter sports. Weibrecht said it would be “silly” for New York not to pursue the opportunity, citing the state’s capabilities in hosting elite competitors in disciplines such as alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, biathlon, and sliding events.

While New York advances its preliminary efforts, Switzerland remains in privileged discussions with the International Olympic Committee to host the 2038 Winter Games. Canada and Norway are also preparing potential bids either for the 2038 Games or for future events including 2042, underscoring the competitive environment New York will face in securing the Olympics. The exploratory committee’s findings will ultimately determine whether the state moves forward with a formal bid.