LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Lake Placid, N.Y. region has been chosen to host two major upcoming global sporting events: the 2019 International Children’s Games and the 2021 Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships.

In January 2019, young athletes, coaches and staff from more than 50 cities from around the world are expected to compete in the eighth International Children’s Winter Games. Established in 1968, the International Children’s Games are officially recognized and supported by the International Olympic Committee. There have been 49 Summer Games and seven Winter Games and this will mark the first time that the winter event will be held on U.S. soil. Up to 2,000 athletes, coaches, and friends and family will be attending the event, which will be held from Jan. 6 – 11.

The Lake Placid region began a dialogue about the Games at the 2014 World Union of Olympic Cities Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. The region was then invited to send a team to last January’s 2016 International Children’s Games in Innsbruck, Austria.

While in the capital of the Tyrol region, the Lake Placid region team was a part of almost 800 boys and girls, who competed in biathlon, cross country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, giant slalom, ice hockey, snowboarding and speed skating.

Lake Placid was also recently awarded the 2021 Bobsled and Skeleton World Championships, beating out St. Moritz, Switzerland, which was seeking to host a world championship race for the 23rd time.

The February 2021 event is the last world championship race before the Beijing Olympic Winter Games. Lake Placid has hosted the world bobsled and skeleton championships 10 times. The last time was in 2012, when Team USA raced to three world championship titles and five total medals.

In addition to 2012, Lake Placid has also hosted the world championships in 1949, 1961, 1969, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1997, 2003 and 2009.

Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Michael Pratt said, “ORDA looks forward to hosting these International athletes in competition at our Venues. The many sporting events we host are very exciting, particularly these diversified multi-sport events. The bobsled and skeleton World Championships are a Lake Placid favorite and the crew at Mt. van Hoevenberg is thrilled to again host the best in the world.”

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.