“Boston is a global hub for education, health care, research and technology,” said Boston2024 chairman and Suffolk Construction CEO John Fish in a statement. “We are passionate about sports because we believe in the power of sport to transform our city and inspire the world’s youth. A Boston Games can be one of the most innovative, sustainable and exciting in history and will inspire the next generation of leaders here and around the world.” — boston.com
Previous news on the 2024 Olympics: U.S. in the race for 2024 Olympics, no host city picked yet and Which U.S. city will win the 2024 Olympic bid? Boston, LA, DC and SF duke it out
Not all Bostonians are happy with the decision. According to the same boston.com article:
"Boston’s bid has generated debate in the city and the region. An opposition nonprofit, No Boston Olympics, is against the proposal. Its reasons: doubts that the Games can be held without using taxpayer money (Boston2024 says it can pull operational expenses off with private funding of $4.5 billion, and publicly-funded infrastructure improvements of $5 billion or so); the Olympics’ history of going overbudget; and the supposed “opportunity costs”—the idea that the city and state would be better served by focusing on other priorities than the Olympics."
6 Comments
From what I understand, the majority of venues would be financed by and built on college campuses. The transportation infrastructure improvements are already funded as part of a $13 billion state-wide bond bill. the opposition group has legitimate concerns about financing and the location of the main stadium, but there's a lot of noise from the usual grouches about silly things like traffic.
Should be interesting to see what they pull together for the final bid.
Cue Queen.
They can likely pull it off as long as there isn't a Red Soxs Yankee double header in town at the same time.
It's not a "cake walk" like the Big Dig - they nailed that in no time!
So the head of the state's largest construction company is also the head of Boston's Olympic bid committee...but don't worry, no conflict of interest or ulterior motives here!
If they started demolishing and rebuilding the T tomorrow, Boston would still not be ready to host that kind of event in 10 years. The city is way too small. They have virtually no chance against the other international finalist cities...I just feel like the US Olympic Committee totally shot themselves in the foot by choosing Boston over SF or LA.
The city is way too small.
not really - if you superimposed the land area of Rome (currently only other applicant) over the greater Boston area - the population would be about the same - a little over 2.5 million people. Boston's CSA is over 8 million people - comparable to DC and San Francisco (hell, even Chicago)... plus it's a lot easier to get around the region than the bay area.
I think this a benefit - the city feels small.
also - your point about John Fish - he's already recused himself and Suffolk from working directly on olympic projects... of course he's going to benefit in some ways... but he'll bring a lot of people along with him.
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