Organizers of Boston's effort to host the 2024 Summer Olympics say they will not submit a final bid for the games unless a majority of Massachusetts residents are supportive.
Boston 2024 ran full-page ads Monday in The Boston Globe and the Boston Herald, laying out what the privately-funded group says are the 10 principles that form the basis of the city's bid.
Among them are using the Olympics as a catalyst to improve public transportation, create tens of thousands of jobs and spur development of affordable housing.
One recent poll conducted for WBUR-FM of more than 500 Boston-area residents showed only 36 percent supported the Olympic bid, while 52 percent were opposed and the rest undecided.
Just as Boston-area residents are watching the group Boston 2024, the United States Olympic Committee is watching the entire state, paying attention to public opinion. And news that it’s on the decline is not welcome.
“It’s disappointing to hear but I hope that the people in Boston will be able to listen to what the bid committee has to say,” said Anita DeFranz, a member of the US Olympic Committee, which selected Boston over 3 other cities and now advises Boston 2024 on the bid application.
DeFranz also sits on the International Olympic Committee. A resident of Los Angeles, DeFranz said her city still sees financial and tourism benefits from hosting previous games. She wants Massachusetts residents to remain open minded.
“I hope that they will listen and be patient and ask the questions they need to ask. And understand that a great opportunity will be lost.”
Lost, only if Boston 2024 cannot convince voters that it will stick to a budget and rely on private funding. The security costs, it says, will be covered by the federal government, as for any Olympic games. There are currently two separate referendums – city and state - being drafted to gauge public support on the Olympics and putting taxpayer dollars toward the games. Neither has been approved yet for the November ballot.
