“It’s all about the hair.”

As we near the final decision date of Oct. 2, we are leaving no stone unturned.  In fact, we have compiled a list of items we need to address in the upcoming months.  My personal favorite is the need to hire an Olympic hair styling team.  Can you believe this almost slipped right past our planning committee?  Amidst the lodging, food venues, mascot search etc . . . we almost overlooked the hair stylists. 

This was brought to our attention by a family we met late last week, who came all the way from Mizunami, Japan to visit Minnesota.  Lucky for us they ended their journey with a week of relaxation and fun in Ely.  It was actually the first thing the youngest son brought up to us, his exact words, “it’s all about the hair.”  A quick Google search confirmed, we are in need of an on-site hairstyling staff.

Olympic athletes and enthusiasts alike seem to go wild with their locks.  Check out the pictures below and if you know anyone who may be interested in a position as an Olympic Hairstylist (yes, we’ll make that a “real” position) let us know!

We’ve Inspired Another Beauty

When we first announced our bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, nearly everyone’s first reaction was “What a beautiful area to showcase to the world. Ely is a perfect location as long as the natural beauty is unharmed.”  We on the Ely Olympic Planning Committee feel strongly that each and every Olympic location should showcase a beautiful part of our world (some of the previous locations, not so beautiful, but we won’t name call). 

So you can imagine our delight to see that Dubai is strongly considering a bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.  The landscape of Dubai is in great contrast to our neck of the woods, but nonetheless beautiful.  Trade our lush green wilderness for sand dunes, fresh lakes for the deep blue sea and our quaint downtown for a cosmopolitan metropolis and you’ve got yourself the best back-to-back Summer Olympic locations in history.

Of course, we’d like to think Dubai has been inspired by yours truly in their quest to bid for the 2020 games.  Maybe we should offer them help in organizing their bid; after all, we are experts.

Ely Olympic fans show their support!

Watch the video made from photos submitted by fans of Ely from all over the country. Maybe now the IOC will stand up and take notice!

Buzzy named official Ely 2016 mascot.

After a nation-wide search, Buzzy the Mosquito has been named the official mascot of the Ely 2016 Summer Olympics.  The public voted on a winner during the annual Ely Greenstone Art Show & Sale. 

Minnesota resident Anthony Buckner, who lived in Ely years back and attended Vermillion Community College, drew Buzzy.  “It was the first thing that came to mind when I heard the Ely 2016 committee was in search of a mascot,” said Buckner.  “We used to joke that the mosquitoes up there were so big they drove cars and wore sneakers.”

Here’s to hoping the whole world gets bit by Buzzy!

USOC focused on Chicago 2016

The Associated Press recently reported that the United States Olympic Committee is solely focused on supporting the Chicago 2016 bid.  Stephanie Streeter, CEO of the USOC, released the statement on Monday after reports surfaced that Pittsburgh may explore a bid for 2020. 

Streeter mentioned she didn’t want the reports of other U.S. cities and Olympic bids to obscure the focus of the USOC and Chicago 2016.  Besides Pittsburg 2020, rumors have surfaced that Denver and Reno are possibilities for 2018 Winter Games.

“We don’t quite understand how Ms. Streeter and her team at the USOC aren’t focused on the Ely 2016 bid,” stated Olympic Committee member Tony Zeunik.  “I mean clearly we are in the hunt to host the 2016 Games. If they (USOC) want to put their eggs in Chicago’s basket, that’s great, but I think they’ll be sadly mistaken.”

Zeunik and fellow Ely 2016 Olympic Committee member, Jason Peltala are gearing up for an early trip to Copenhagen in an effort to persuade the IOC.  When asked why they weren’t traveling closer to the Oct. 2 decision date, the answer was simple.  They didn’t want to miss the autumn season in Ely.  (They claims it’s the best time to visit!)