During its annual meeting, the World Union of Olympic Cities (UMVO) Executive Committee unanimously approved Reno-Tahoe’s inclusion on the committee, further recognizing the region’s Olympic Heritage and its interest in further promoting the Olympic Movement. Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition (RTWGC) vice chairman Hawley MacLean, who has forged several key relationships with UMVO members, will serve in Reno Tahoe’s seat on the committee. The RTWGC had been previously designated the City of Reno’s representative to the UMVO by Mayor Bob Cashell.
The UMVO is a fraternal organization of cities and regions which have hosted past Olympic Games, are scheduled to host them or wish to host them in the future. Reno-Tahoe was the backdrop for the 1960 Olympic Winter Games at Squaw Valley and has expressed interest as a region to host them again. The UMVO’s mission is to nurture and promote Olympic legacies and to further promote the Olympic Movement in member cities. It is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which also holds two of the seats on the UMVO Executive Committee.
“To be a part of the important conversation on Olympic legacies is an honor,” said MacLean. “We will do everything we can as an organization and a region to help promote the legacies of the Olympic Movement. I also want to do everything I can to make the UMVO as successful as possible.”
RTWGC Chief Executive Officer Jon Killoran and board member Carolyn Wallace Dee attended the initial UMVO Lausanne Summit in October of 2008. Killoran has attended all but one of the annual gatherings since and feels MacLean, who began attending them after becoming a RTWGC board member in 2010, is the perfect fit to represent the coalition and the region.”
“From the first day Hawley joined the RTWGC he has been a passionate advocate of our region’s involvement at all levels of the Olympic Movement,” said Killoran. “He loves what they stand for and believes in helping the UMVO reach its goals to the highest level.”
MacLean displayed his love for Reno Tahoe and its capabilities during a presentation to the UMVO membership. He explained how his home region embraces all things Olympic and how it stands ready to host international sports competitions and events.
The next UMVO Lausanne Summit will be held later this fall in Lausanne, Switzerland, the headquarters of the IOC and many of the International Federations of Sport.
