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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida and WUSF can help. Our responsibility at WUSF News is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

State CFO Encourages Olympics, Arizona Baseball To Come To Florida

fans on outfield berm watch spring training baseball
CARL LISCIANDRELLO/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA
Major league baseball spring training sites like Spectrum Field in Clearwater, could see unusual visitors - teams that normally train in Arizona - if Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis has his way.

CFO Jimmy Patronis has reached out to the International Olympic Committee and baseball teams set to play spring training games in Arizona, inviting them to come to Florida.

Florida’s chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis has proposed moving the Tokyo Olympic Games to Florida this summer.

In a letter to the International Olympic Committee, Patronis noted Florida hosting events like NBA games in Orlando, the National College Football Championship in Miami, and the upcoming Super Bowl LV in Tampa.

He didn’t include the cost to move the Games or who would pay for it.

The IOC issued a statement on Friday saying that it will still attempt to host the Olympics in Tokyo this year.

Patronis also tweeted a note Monday inviting Major League Baseball teams scheduled to play their spring training games in Arizona to come to Florida.

The teams sent a letter to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred asking him to delay the start of spring training due to coronavirus concerns.

The letter was co-signed by the mayors of the Arizona cities of Mesa, Scottsdale, Surprise, Glendale, Goodyear and Peoria, as well as representatives from Phoenix and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Patronis' tweet read "Florida is open for business. DM (Direct Message) me!"

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camps in Arizona and Florida in just over three weeks.

Arizona is averaging just under 7,000 new coronavirus cases per day.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Mark Schreiner is the assistant news director and intern coordinator for WUSF News.
Amber Amortegui is a senior studying journalism at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Born and raised in Davie, Fla., Amber is a native South Floridian who embraces one of America’s most diverse regions.
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