Florida Offers To Host Olympics if Japan Cancels

Florida is offering to host the 2021 Summer Olympics amid speculation that Tokyo, the event's 2021 host, may drop out due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Monday, Florida's chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee, making the case for the state:

“Today, I am writing to encourage you to consider relocating the 2021 Olympics from Tokyo, Japan to the United States of America, and more specifically to Florida.

Patronis goes on to add that "unlike other states, when the COVID-19 vaccine comes to Florida, it doesn’t just sit on the shelf wrapped in government red tape; it moves fast to protect our communities."

Patronis accurately pointed out that Florida has successfully allowed sports to take place during the pandemic:

“When most states shut down their sporting events, the city of Jacksonville hosted the Ultimate Fighting Championship (the UFC), and the National Basketball Association (NBA) setup the ‘bubble’ to hold games in Orlando. Moreover, during football season, the National Football League (NFL) and college teams were able to compete on Florida soil.”

Last week, The Times of London reported that the Japanese government has “privately concluded” that this year’s Olympics in Tokyo, which was rescheduled from last year, will have to be canceled due to COVID-19. However, the International Olympic Committee cited a statement from the Japanese government which categorically denies this report.

Should Japan back out, I'm all for moving it to Florida, but how many wins can Florida record? It has great weather, the state has no income tax, and the Bucs are hosting and playing in the Super Bowl. Oh, and most importantly, Gov. Ron DeSantis has let his residents live their lives while other states have locked us down, claiming the science told them to.

If any state in the U.S. can put together the Olympics on short notice, it is Florida.