Share

With Boston out, can Los Angeles revive a United States Olympic bid?

“We have always supported the USOC in their effort to return the Games to the United States”, the mayor said in a statement.

Advertisement

“Given all of the involved circumstances, today’s decision to withdraw the bid by Boston 2024 to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games nine years from now represents prudence, statesmanship, and responsibility to the citizens of Boston and our Commonwealth”.

“I don’t think they need to save face”, Samaranch said.

The IOC will elect a winning bid in 2017. At his news conference, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the opposition to the Olympics amounted to about “10 people on Twitter”.

Its mayor, Eric Garcetti, said in a statement Monday he welcomed discussions with the USOC about a potential bid.

Elsewhere, the Associated Press published an article speculating whether Los Angeles has what it takes to restart its Olympic bid. Walsh said he would not sign a contract “that puts one dollar of taxpayer money on the line for one penny of overruns on the Olympics”. With a September 15 deadline for official submission of candidates, the USOC could turn to Los Angeles as a new bidder.

The United States has not hosted the Summer Olympics since 1996 in Atlanta and has not hosted the Winter Olympics since 2002 at Salt Lake City.

The Boston bid considered hosting events outside the eastern half of the state.

From its early days, Boston 2024, the group that oversaw the city’s bid, faced criticism for a lack of transparency.

However, Boston’s high-profile withdrawal just hours before the start of the IOC Executive Board meeting on Tuesday serves as a timely reminder of the work ahead for the Olympic movement as it seeks to rejuvenate the bidding process.

Broad enthusiasm remains to bring the games to Los Angeles, Sanders said.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, who had been noncommittal in his support, said he had been waiting for a report by a private consultancy due next month before deciding whether to throw his weight behind the bid.

Outside South Station, many told 7News they were relieved because they were concerned about the games costing taxpayers and making traffic in the city even worse.

Scott Blackmun, CEO of the USOC, said the committee still wants to host the 2024 Games.

IOC President Thomas Bach has encouraged a U.S. bid for 2024 to the point that the USOC nearly feels compelled to present another city.

But first, the USOC must decide quickly whether to make another 2024 Summer Games bid.

“We continue to believe that hosting the Games would have brought transformational benefits to Boston… we think public support would grow in Boston and across the Commonwealth”.

He added: “The USOC would very much like to see an American city host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024”.

Advertisement

The chairmen of No Boston Olympics released a statement, and planned a celebration at a Boston pub later Monday. That is the only city both capable and seemingly willing to host the Olympics.

The Olympic Flag waves as part of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony at Fisht Olympic Stadium