Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that this evening several landmarks throughout the state, as well as Lake Placid's Olympic venues, will light up in red, white and blue to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.

"Forty years can pass in the blink of an eye, but the 1980 Olympic Games left a lasting mark on Lake Placid, New York State and the entire nation," Governor Cuomo said. "As we continue to invest in the future of the Olympic complex, today we honor and celebrate the legacy of achievements and inspiration these historic Games brought to the Empire State."

State buildings, structures and landmarks - including the Kosciuszko Bridge, State University of New York Plaza, State Education Building, the Alfred E. Smith Building, the New York State Fair Exposition Building and Niagara Falls - will all shine red, white and blue.

Lake Placid's Olympic Center, home to the "Miracle on Ice," will be lit red, white and blue, both inside and out. Whiteface Mountain will light up its Cloudsplitter Gondola, while the Olympic Jumping Complex's newly installed frost rails will alternate colors, dissolving from red, to white, to blue throughout the evening.

The XIII Olympic Winter Games have long been remembered for the heroics of the U.S. men's Olympic hockey team's improbable run to the gold medal, speed skater Eric Heiden's five gold medals, in world or Olympic record time, and the U.S. figure skating team claiming silver and bronze medals.

Several events, to include the lighting of the anniversary Cauldron, Friday, February 14, at 6:15 p.m., a meet and greet with several Olympians, past, present and future, and the return of several members of the U.S. Olympic figure skating squad, known as the "Dream Team," will all be a part of the two-week long celebration. For more information about all of the events, visit lakeplacidolympicsites.com/event/40th/.

New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Mike Pratt said, "As the 40th celebration of the Lake Placid Winter Games begins, we are thrilled to be the host for so many of the special events planned. With several Olympians returning to the village and all the activities for visitors to do, the next several weeks are going to be magnificent.  Join us as we celebrate the past, present and future of the Olympic Legacy here at our venues and facilities."

Since taking office, the Governor has committed nearly $240-million in funding to support the state's Olympic Regional Development Authority properties. These unprecedented investments are improving the infrastructure of ORDA facilities to ensure they attract and support large-scale, global events as year-round attractions.

-- 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.