Regional Options Key to San Francisco Olympic Bid -- On the Scene

(ATR) San Francisco bid leaders believe the unity in the Bay Area region separates their bid from others.

"What's happening in this region, with all the growth and new facilities and vibrancies, it's palpable, so we were excited to make our case," Larry Baer, owner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, told media after their presentation.

"One of the things that excites us that we have East Bay and South Bay and North Bay, and it's for the region."

Baer was joined by bid leaders Steve Strandberg, Anne Cribbs, and Jerry Anderson in stressing the "engagement" from all civic leaders around the Bay Area.

"There is great alignment where our plans for the Olympic Games goes and where Mayor Lee and other mayors want the region to go for the next 10-15 years." Steve Strandberg said.

San Francisco will serve as the main hub for the Olympics, but venues will be spread out around the bay.

"Our number one thing is using existing venues, and tying into the experience of the Bay Area," Jerry Anderson, an architect with Populus a firm that specializes in stadia and sport venues, said.

Baer said bid drew heavy inspiration from the London Olympics, which provided "some really great learnings" for the team.

"I think that today that the USOC is looking for a partner that will work together with the bid committee that will bring the Games home to the United States," Cribbs said.

"We think we would be a great choice."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Redwood City

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