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Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics

The Boston 2024 Partnership is a privately backed bid to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to the city of Boston, Massachusetts.[1] The official proposal was submitted on December 1, 2014.[2] In January 2015, the US Olympic Committee will choose an American city to compete with candidates around the world, and the International Olympic Committee will select the host city in 2017.[3]

Four US cities are in the running: Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.[3] Boston is the only first-time bidder in the group.[4]

Boston 2024 Partnership

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Chaired by John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction Company, the Boston 2024 Partnership is the private group behind Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics.[1] Its membership includes Dan O’Connell, chief executive of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership; Erin Murphy Rafferty, a former Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce vice president; and Emiley Lockhart as general counsel.[5] The group is advised by area leaders including New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft, former US Senator Mo Cowan, and university heads from Harvard, Bentley, and MIT.[5]

Political leaders in the area—including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick—have commented positively on the prospect of an Olympic event in Boston, while noting hurdles of financing and community support.[6]

Funding

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Acknowledging the overspending at past Olympics like Beijing and Sochi, the Boston 2024 Partnership is planning a cost-effective event, using private funds, existing facilities and temporary venues, and transportation projects that have previously received approval.[3]

As of June 2014, the group had privately raised $11 million,[7] and if Boston is chosen as the US host city candidate, another $50 million in private funds will be raised for the global bid campaign.[3] According to the Boston 2024 Partnership, planning for and running the Olympics will cost $4.5 billion.[3]

Revenues from TV rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise would help with some of the costs,[3][1] and federal money would be expected to cover security.[3][8]

Potential venues

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The bid leans on the use of existing facilities at Boston-area universities as well as venues like Harvard Stadium and the TD Garden.[3]

Before Boston could host the Olympic Games, several facilities would have to be built: a stadium to seat 60,000 people,[9] an Olympic village that spans 100 acres, a velodrome, and an aquatics center.[10]

Opposition

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The Boston 2024 Olympic bid has attracted criticism, particularly from a group called No Boston Olympics.[11] Arguments against the bid include: a pattern of overspending in previous Olympics,[1] years of construction,[1] the absence of community meetings,[3] few proven economic benefits for host cities and their tourism industries,[1] and conflicts of interest with Boston promoters who stand to benefit from the Olympics.[1]

In response to critics, the Boston 2024 Partnership has encouraged area residents to see the 2024 Olympic bid as a conversation about the region’s future. In an interview with the Boston Business Journal in June 2014, Fish stated the Partnership’s commitment to studying the feasibility of bringing the Olympics to Boston.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Horowitz, Evan (18 November 2014). "What are the costs and benefits of a Boston Olympics?". Boston Globe.
  2. ^ Annear, Steve (2 December 2014). "Boston Officially Submits a Bid to Host the 2024 Olympics". Boston magazine.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Arsenault, Mark (23 November 2014). "Boston bidders hope time is right for frugal Games". Boston Globe.
  4. ^ Powers, John (16 September 2014). "Compact Boston may have Olympic advantage". Boston Globe.
  5. ^ a b Chesto, Jon (11 July 2014). "Here are the players behind Boston's Olympic effort". Boston Business Journal.
  6. ^ Arsenault, Mark (13 June 2014). "Boston makes US short list for 2024 Olympics". Boston Globe.
  7. ^ Arsenault, Mark; Esteban, Chiqui (23 November 2014). "Paying for the Olympics". Boston Globe.
  8. ^ Vaccaro, Adam (17 November 2014). "Boston's Response to the Marathon Bombing Wowed the Olympic Committee (Maybe)". Boston.com.
  9. ^ Chesto, Jon (22 October 2014). "Here's why local Olympics organizers switched to a temporary stadium". Boston Business Journal.
  10. ^ Levenson, Michael (26 February 2014). "Boston Olympics in 2024 would be a 'monumental task'". Boston Globe.
  11. ^ Vaccaro, Adam (25 October 2014). "How 'No Boston Olympics' Could Try to Block the 2024 Games". Boston.com.
  12. ^ Chesto, Jon (13 June 2014). "Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish makes his case for Boston's 2024 Olympics bid". Boston Business Journal.
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Category:Summer Olympic Games Category:Summer Olympics bids Category:2024 in multi-sport events Category:United States at the Olympics

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