CFO Patronis Request to Move Olympics to USA Reaches White House Press Briefing
1/26/2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis’ letter to
the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reached the White House Press briefing when a reporter asked the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki about the possibility of moving the 2021 Olympics from Tokyo, Japan to Florida, U.S.A. This comes after
the CFO’s recent request to the IOC to consider relocating the Olympics to Florida.
[BEGIN TRANSCRIPT]
Reporter: There is a report now that the Chief Financial Officer of Florida has sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee that Florida would like to host the Olympics if Japan next year is uncomfortable because of the pandemic.
Is a Florida Olympics in 2021 something you can see the White House supporting?
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki: Well, that’s a lot of steps that need to take place. And I don’t know the entire process of the Olympics, but I would certainly think — send you to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Olympics Committee first on what their assessment of that offer is and certainly, of course, what their assessment is of Japan’s preparedness for the Olympics.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki: Well, that’s a lot of steps that need to take place. And I don’t know the entire process of the Olympics, but I would certainly think — send you to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Olympics Committee first on what their assessment of that offer is and certainly, of course, what their assessment is of Japan’s preparedness for the Olympics.
[END TRANSCRIPT]
In reaction to the White House press briefing, the CFO issued the following statement:
“When the President was sworn in, he promised ‘unity’ – and I cannot imagine something that unifies Americans more than the Olympics. Now more than ever in these turbulent times, Americans want to watch our athletes compete. We’re
proud of American athletes and the Olympics are a great opportunity to showcase American greatness.
“The White House missed an incredible opportunity today to encourage the Olympics to move from Japan to the United States of America. As Japan’s leaders quietly work behind the scenes to ditch the sporting event, we’ll continue beating
the drum for Florida. With the Super Bowl coming to Tampa Bay in the next few weeks, Florida will put on full display its ability to safely and successfully host global events.
“These athletes have worked their entire lives for the opportunity to compete and we should work together to figure out a way to make it happen.”
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).