Boston Officially Submits a Bid to Host the 2024 Olympics
Boston’s bid is in.
On Monday, December 1, the group behind a massive push to get Boston to host the 2024 summer Olympic games announced that they submitted the details and paperwork needed for consideration to the United States Olympic Committee.
“Boston 2024 is excited about the submission of its bid to the U.S. Olympic Committee, which outlines the many reasons why Boston would be an ideal host for the summer 2024 Games, including our world-class university partners; the region’s thriving innovation, technology, financial, medical, and hospitality sectors; our widespread government, business, and community support; and a unique plan for a walkable, sustainable, and cost-effective Olympics,” said Boston 2024 executive vice-president Erin Murphy Rafferty in a statement.
The group, a private organization that’s worked tirelessly to try and convince business leaders and elected officials that Boston could handle millions of spectators flocking to the area to take in the international competitions, recently outlined their vision for hosting the games, totaling $4.5 billion and including a proposal to construct a temporary Olympic stadium, while relying on existing infrastructures to house other events and visitors.
Boston is in the running against San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. The USOC is scheduled to meet in mid-December to vote. They’re expected to announce their pick in January. Once the committee selects a favorite from the pool of candidates, their decision will be sent to the International Olympics Committee, which in 2017 will ultimately make the call on who will host the summer games after considering proposals from other potential host cities from around the world.
A spokesperson for Mayor Marty Walsh, who has been supportive of the endeavor, despite some criticism about how talks revolving around the potential to bring the games to Boston have been handled, said the bid submission marks a significant first step in an arduous process.
“[The] bid deadline is the first milestone in what could be a long process, pending the U.S. Olympic Committee’s decision. Mayor Walsh believes that pursuing the Olympics in Boston will give the city the opportunity to plan Boston’s future, and take a closer look at the city’s long term infrastructure needs, transportation systems, and economic development goals,” the spokesperson said. “We wish the U.S. Olympic Committee well as they review the bid proposals.”
While Walsh and others have seen the brighter side of what a Boston Olympics could bring to the city and region in terms of transportation fixes, others have been adamant about derailing the plan. The most vocal group has been the grassroots organization No Boston Olympics.
“Despite having more than a year to prepare its bid, Boston 2024 has not held a single public meeting or provided other opportunities for meaningful public input,” a spokesperson for No Boston Olympics said in a statement. “The Commonwealth’s citizens and taxpayers have been entirely shut out of the process. Even worse, Boston 2024 has refused to release the bidding documents that outline its plans for the Games. The citizens of Massachusetts deserve better. Those who will be footing the bill for this expensive party should have a voice. “
