Anchorage made its pitch for the 1992...

Anchorage made its pitch for the 1992 Olympic Winter Games to the International Olympic Committee at Lausanne, Switzerland, with a last-minute boost from President Reagan.

Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska received a telegram from Reagan, wishing the Anchorage bidders “best of luck,” shortly before the city made its one-hour presentation to the IOC’s 91st session.

The President said Anchorage had developed “tremendous community support” for its candidacy, and that was underscored by a 2,000-foot-long banner signed by 15,000 Alaskans backing the bid, which was displayed outside the exhibition hall where the meeting is being held.

Anchorage is one of seven cities bidding for the ’92 Winter Games. The IOC will vote Friday on the host cities for both the Summer and Winter Olympics.