Title
A Resolution approving the City of Ancient Olympia, Greece as a Sister City of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. (Councilmember - Jill Gaebler)
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Summary: The City of Colorado Springs and the City of Ancient Olympia, Greece are pursuing a Sister City relationship. Based on the history and Olympic connections between Ancient Olympia and Colorado Springs, the main pillars of cooperation between the two cities will be 1) Academics, 2) Olympism and 3) Tourism.
Academic - Potential activities include academic programs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Colorado College endorsed by the International Olympic Academy, student exchange programs and international promotions of these programs to increase the number of international students in Colorado Springs.
Olympic - Potential activities include a unique opportunity to host a series of artifacts from the Ancient Olympic Games, joint promotional efforts around Olympic theme projects such as replicating an Ancient Olympic site/park in Colorado Springs, and promoting Colorado Springs internationally as an ideal location for young professionals to start their career in sports.
Tourism - Potential activities include joint international marketing campaigns promoting Colorado Springs as a top academic, medical and Olympic training destination, and hosting annual conferences and events to attract an Olympic-minded audience from around the world.
Previous Council Action: City Council assigned Council Members Jill Gaebler and Andy Pico to assist with the initiative to become Sister Cities with the City of Ancient Olympia, Greece
Background: Colorado Springs currently has six sister cities: Bankstown, Australia; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Fujiyoshida, Japan; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico; and Smolensk, Russia. Colorado Springs Sister Cities International (CSSCI) is the official Sister City organization for the City of Colorado Springs. All sister cities activities are coordinated through CSSCI with assistance from representatives the Mayor's Office. Sister Cities now falls under the Spirit of the Springs staff in order to support this initiative and help sustain and enhance all of our Sister City relationships.
Ancient Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games more than 2,700 years ago. Currently, the city hosts the torch lighting Ceremony of the Modern Olympic Games every 2 years and is the home of the International Olympic Academy (IOA). The IOA is the academic arm of the International Olympic Committee and works to promote Olympic ideals throughout the world. Ancient Olympia numbers approximately 14,000 residents and receives about 2 million visitors a year.
Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Committee, 22 National Governing Bodies of Olympic and Paralympic Sport, and the world's finest high altitude Olympic Training Center. Becoming sister cities with Ancient Olympia, Greece can enhance the unique relationship our community has with the modern Olympic movement.
Financial Implications: None anticipated.
Board/Commission Recommendation: N/A
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Stakeholder process: The proposal has the support of Colorado Springs Sister Cities International, the United States Olympic Committee, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado College, the Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Downtown Partnership.
Recommendation:
Recommended Action
Approve the Sister City relationship between the City of Ancient Olympia, Greece and the City of Colorado Springs.
Proposed Motion: Approval of the resolution approving the City of Ancient Olympia, Greece as a Sister City of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.