2024 Olympics Bidding: US Olympic Committee Taps Boston as Bid City for Games
The United States Olympic Committee announced on Thursday night that Boston will be the country's official entry in the global bidding to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
Following a daylong meeting in Denver, USOC decided to pick Boston over Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, citing the possible reusable venues in the city along with the inspiration brought by how the city recovered from the deadly marathon bombings.
The choice came as a surprise to many as Los Angeles was considered as the safest choice and San Francisco as the most promising venue among the four cities. But with their bid highlighted by an impressive spending plan and a promising presentation, USOC was convinced that Boston is ready to host the huge event.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who initially opposed the possible hosting but eventually became a strong supporter of the bid, said that being picked as the country's official nominee in the bidding is a great honor to the city.
"This selection is in recognition of our city's talent, diversity and global leadership," Walsh said via ESPN. "Our goal is to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games that are innovative, walkable and hospitable to all. Boston hopes to welcome the world's greatest athletes to one of the world's great cities."
The White House also issued a statement, expressing support to Boston's bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
"The city has taught all of us what it means to be Boston Strong," the White House said in a statement. "The President and First Lady couldn't be prouder of this accomplishment and of all of our nation's athletes, and strongly support the effort to bring the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the United States."
Boston does not have enough infrastructures at this point, but the bidding team has already laid out plan, including the establishment of a new main stadium, which will be shrunk to become a soccer stadium after the games.
Reports indicated that Boston was picked because they are planning to involve more than 100 universities in hosting the event and some universities already have existing infrastructures suitable for the event.
The International Olympic Committee will announce the host city for the 2024 Summer and Paralympic Games in a meeting in Lima, Peru in 2017. Aside from Boston, Rome has already decided to make a bid, while Germany, France, Hungary and Qatar are also expected to follow suit.
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