As we now know, picturesque alpine landscapes are not a prerequisite to host the Winter Olympics. The pinnacle of industry, patriotism, and unsafe working conditions. Pittsburgh would have been the perfect site for the 1980 Winter Games.
“Can you imagine beating the Soviets in the Steel City? Haze from the coke ovens would have created an effect like cigar smoke in the Ali/Liston fight“
– Local Historian
We can only imagine the butterfly effect that a Pittsburgh Olympics would have kicked off. Introducing the sights of the Three Rivers to the world may have saved the US steel industry. Perhaps more importantly; Billy Joel would have never made that music video which features an odd amount of male nudity (Allentown). Outlined below is just a few of the many reasons why Pittsburgh should have been the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Infrastructure
- A network of railways typically used for carting raw materials and dumping slag could have easily been utilized to move people to different events.
- The incline on Mt. Washington (Longest running funicular in the US, see “Local Flair” section) would have been the perfect service elevator for a ski jump or any number of skiing events.
Landscape
- Hills are abound throughout the city. Ever wonder what a colder grittier San Francisco would be like? That’s basically Pittsburgh. Downhill skiing could be held locally instead of being at some satellite ski hill. (Snow-covered mounds of iron ore could have also been put to use)
- Way less trees than Lake Placid. The Olympics is an event to showcase mankind’s ability to rise to a challenge and beat out their competitors. Nothing shows a competitive environment like several downtown steel mills.
Local Flair
- The people of Pittsburgh are a good crop. They like their domestic beers cold and their bologna fried like every red blooded American. Who better to represent our great nation than the people who effectively keep the lights on? Affluent mountain towns had a strong hold on the Winter Olympics for too long. We could have broken this mold far sooner.
- The aforementioned funicular is one of TWO on the southside of Pittsburgh. Offering easily accessible views of the bustling downtown.
There’s no doubt that Western Pennsylvania is due to host an Olympiad. I just hope the ghost of Andrew Carnegie doesn’t haunt us for not doing it sooner.
-publius
The Huck 