Representatives from Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., joined the leadership of the United States Olympic Committee this week in Colorado for a bid city briefing. The briefing marks the next step in the USOC’s domestic process as it considers a U.S. bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“I’d like to thank each city’s civic and political leadership for the commitment they have shown to our process thus far,” said USOC Chairman Larry Probst. “Our discussions this week have created a foundation for something that could be truly unique. There is a great deal of work left to do before we can make a decision, but I’m more optimistic than ever that a U.S. bid for the 2024 Games can be successful.”
The four remaining cities were identified in June following 16-month process that began with outreach to approximately 35 U.S. cities.
“This week marks another important milestone as we evaluate whether the time is right to bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We’ve tried to create a thoughtful and deliberate process and I think everyone involved believes we’re getting closer to a decision,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “Each city has necessarily evaluated how hosting a Games in its community fits into the long-term plans for that city, but equally exciting to me is the universal commitment to making a positive contribution to worldwide sport and the Olympic and Paralympic movements. That’s something I truly believe a Games hosted in the U.S. can do and I’m excited about the potential.”
Attendees at this week’s U.S. bid city briefing included:
Boston
Mayor Martin Walsh
John Fish
Dan O’Connell
Robert Reynolds
Los Angeles
Mayor Eric Garcetti
Casey Wasserman
Doane Liu
Jon Oram
San Francisco
Larry Baer
Anne Cribbs
Steve Strandberg
Tony Winnicker
Washington, D.C.
Russ Ramsey
Monica Dixon
Jeff Klueuter
Anthony T. Pierce
The briefing followed visits by USOC executives to each of the four cities for further collaborative discussions regarding the technical elements required to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Those discussions will continue in the weeks and months ahead.
In early December, the International Olympic Committee Extraordinary Session will take place, during which time the Olympic Agenda 2020, which will shape the future of the Olympic Movement, will be finalized. Following that meeting – likely in early 2015 – the USOC will make a decision on whether or not to bid, and will select a city if a bid is pursued.
The IOC deadline for 2024 bid submissions will likely be in 2015, while the selection of a host city will likely be made in 2017.
The U.S. has not hosted the summer edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games since 1996 (Atlanta). St. Louis hosted in 1904 and Los Angeles held the Games in both 1932 and 1984.
Swimming News courtesy of the USOC.