The International Olympics Committee delegation committee visits Chicago this week, and Madison officials have been told they should be prepared should the committee decide to visit.
If Chicago is selected to host the 2016 Olympics, officials announced in January that 3 of the 5 major Olympic cycling events would be held in Madison.
The Madison area plans to be ready for any last minute Olympic visits by the IOC.
""The folks in Chicago have put us on alert in case the organizing committee does decide to make a visit here,"" said Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz. ""We're ready for them.""
Strauch-Nelson told the Wisconsin State Journal they have alerted the Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Common Council leadership of the potential visit.
The cycling time trials and road racing would begin on the UW-Madison Campus, traveling through downtown and finishing 25 miles west of Madison, at Blue Mound State Park and Tyrol Ski Basin in Mount Horeb.
The IOC's 100-plus members will select the 2016 host on Oct. 2. Strauch-Nelson is hoping Chicago will be the choice.
""It would be great for the city because it would bring a whole lot of people and a whole lot of folks looking to spend some resources and spend some time here,"" Strauch-Nelson said. ""It would be great opportunity for the city.""
