Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It might be the longest of long shots, but a push for New York State to play host to either the 2038 or 2042 Winter Olympics could see a ripple effect up-and-down the New York State Thruway.
And that is one of the many reasons why State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes is an enthusiastic supporter for New York landing the Winter Olympics.
"It's an amazing idea," Peoples-Stokes said. "Let's go. Let's do it."
The idea was first proposed earlier this month by Brooklyn Assemblyman Robert Carroll, but has taken on more political legs with strong support from Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The idea has bipartisan support in Albany ,and lots of private sector backing.
Carroll's proposal is to have the games split between the New York metropolitan market and Lake Placid.
That mirrors what Italy did with this year's Winter Olympics where games were split between Milan and Cortina - two areas about 240 miles and four hours apart from each other.
Lake Placid and New York are about 290 miles from each other and nearly five hours apart.
"What matters is that the games are in New York State," Peoples- Stokes said.
Lake Placid has hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Many of the 1980 venues, including the signature Olympic Center Arena, remain and have been updated and renovated.
One of the catches is that Switzerland is making an aggressive pitch to host the 2038 games, and both Norway and Canada are making a push for the 2042 Winter Olympics.
And should New York win either bid, Peoples-Stokes could foresee many of the athletes and visitors making their way to the Buffalo-Niagara region to see places like Niagara Falls.
"It would be an obvious choice," Peoples-Stokes said. "I can see all sorts of ripple effects all over the state."