Committee forming to bring Arctic Games to Juneau

JUNEAU - Should the 2014 Arctic Winter Games be held in Juneau?

Mayor Bruce Botelho is hosting a gathering of those interested in bringing the event to Juneau. The meeting will be held in the Assembly Chambers at 7 p.m. Thursday.

"Originally the brainchild of Governor (Walter) Hickel and Yukon officials in the late 1960s, the Games bring together nearly 2,000 young athletes, coaches and performers for sports competitions and cultural exhibitions every two years. Teams come from across the northern region, including Russia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and Sami (the indigenous people of northern Scandinavia)," said a press release from the city.

This year, the 21st games are being held in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, in March. Sports include alpine skiing, badminton, basketball, indoor soccer, hockey, gymnastics, speed skating, cross-country skiing, dog-mushing, wrestling, volleyball, figure skating, a snow-shoeing biathlon and more.

Alaska last hosted the 2006 games in Kenai.