Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today was joined on the front steps of City Hall by former Olympians JoJo Starbuck, Matt McClain, Andrew Stroukoff, Susan Kelley, Lea Ann Miller, NYC2012 Executive Director Jay Kriegel, and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding Daniel Doctoroff to extend his best wishes for an extraordinary Olympic Games to the people of Salt Lake City, Utah, the Olympic participants and visitors at the beginning of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

"On the eve of the opening ceremonies for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, I want to extend my best wishes for an extraordinary Olympic Games to the people of Salt Lake City and all the Olympian participants and visitors from around the world," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We will, of course, be paying particular attention to the 28 athletes from the New York region who are competing in the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. May they compete well and make us all proud."

All five former Olympians accepted a proclamation on behalf of all Olympic athletes from Mayor Bloomberg that proclaimed the day as Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games Day in New York City. Television sports commentator JoJo Starbuck competed with partner Ken Shelly in the Figure Skating Pairs event at the 1968 Grenoble and 1972 Sapporo Olympic Winter Games. US Luge Team member Matt McClain is a four time Luge Junior World Champion and the youngest American to win a World Cup Luge event. Andrew Stroukoff and Susan Kelley competed together in the Figure Skating Ice Dancing event at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympic Winter Games and Lea Ann Miller competed with partner Bill Fauver in the Figure Skating Pairs event at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Winter Games.

"New York City's Olympic bid continues to gain enormous support and enthusiasm across all segments of the City and State," said NYC2012 President Jay Kriegel. "Mayor Bloomberg has been one of our most enthusiastic supporters from day one and we look forward in continuing to work with him to pursue the City's Olympic dream."

NYC2012 is the committee leading New York City's bid to become the United States Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic Games. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will select one city to represent the U.S. on November 3, 2002.

"New York State has a rich Olympic tradition," said Deputy Mayor Doctoroff. "Lake Placid in Upstate New York has hosted two Winter Olympic Games in 1932 and 1980, and is the United States Olympic Committee Olympic Training Center for Winter Olympic sports. Our hope is that New York City will be a part of that great tradition as it is truly 'the World's Second Home,' and we are proud to be a US Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic Games."

According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of NYC2012, 84% of New York City residents favor New York City hosting the 2012 Olympic Games with only 13% of city respondents opposed. And, 78% of New York State residents favor New York City hosting the 2012 Olympic Games with only 16% of state respondents opposed. Additionally, 90% of New York City residents and 89% of New York State residents surveyed believe the Olympic Games would have a positive economic impact on New York City.

Beginning this Friday, to coincide with the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, NYC2012's web site (www.nyc2012.com) will include a list of the 28 New York regional Olympians competing in Salt Lake with selected profiles of NYC2012's Circle of Olympians. The site also will have a poll for Olympic enthusiasts to choose their favorite Winter Games memory and interesting facts on United States and New York Olympic history.