Baltimore's formal application to be host of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games will be filed today, along with a $100,000 application fee funded by the Abell Foundation.
The city will join at least six others in seeking the Games, all filing applications with the United States Olympic Committee by the close of business today.
Maryland Stadium Authority chairman John Moag will fly to the USOC's headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"I'm doing it to deliver it and to indicate a level of sincerity," Moag said. He hopes to meet with some USOC officials while there.
Each bidder has been asked to pony up $100,000. The fee will be refunded only if the USOC decides against nominating a U.S. city for the international voting.
Most cities, including Washington, have raised their money from local corporations.
"We will have a long list of CEOs contributing to the effort, but I like the idea of them being out front," Moag said of the Abell Foundation.
The foundation, funded by the family that used to own The Sun, issues grants to a wide range of community-minded issues and causes, from fighting teen-age pregnancy to boosting education.
Foundation head Robert Embry did not respond to requests to comment.
Moag said the money is a loan from the foundation and will be repaid with corporate grants.
Among the 2008 bidders, Cincinnati, Houston and Seattle have applied. San Francisco announced yesterday that it will apply, and New York and Washington are expected to bid, as well.
Pub Date: 5/01/97
