Close
Current temperature in Boston - 62 °
BECOME A MEMBER
Get access to a personalized news feed, our newsletter and exclusive discounts on everything from shows to local restaurants, All for free.
Already a member? Sign in.
The Bay State Banner
BACK TO TOP
The Bay State Banner
POST AN AD SIGN IN

Trending Articles

Civic leaders say Wu ignoring community input

Mass. hospitals first to reach health equity standards

Banner Art Gallery roundtable hosted at MFA ‘City Talks’ draws standing room only crowd

READ PRINT EDITION

Olympics hearing scheduled for April 21st at 1:30 pm at Boston City Hall

baystatebanner

Boston City Council President Bill Linehan announced details last week on the next four hearings to be held by the Special Committee on the 2024 Olympics.

The hearings will focus on the following topics:

  • The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 2020 Agenda
  • Facilities
  • Boston’s 2030 Effort
  • Financials

The Special Committee on the 2024 Olympics held its first hearing, which lasted four plus hours, in March. Based on the first hearing, the committee feels that subsequent due requires additional hearings.

The Committee has scheduled the next hearing on Tuesday, April 21st at 1:30 pm in the Iannella Chamber at Boston City Hall. Dates for subsequent meetings have not yet been finalized.

The April 21st hearing will focus on the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 2020 Agenda regarding Boston’s 2024 bid. The IOC implemented the 2020 agenda, which consists of 40 reforms that call for a more sustainable model for how the Games can be planned and executed. The 2020 agenda changes the bidding process by inviting potential candidate cities to present a project that fits their sporting, economic, social and environmental long-term planning needs. The Special Committee on the 2024 Olympics will hold the hearing to review the 2020 agenda and ensure that the IOC’s agenda aligns with Boston’s position as an international city as well as Boston’s goals for the future.

If Boston’s 2024 bid is selected, then each neighborhood in the city will be affected differently.

The second 2024 Special Committee hearing will focus on facilities of the 2024 Games to address possible impacts on the specific neighborhoods of Boston. The hearing on facilities will explore the pros and cons of site selection and a process for development of venues if awarded the 2024 Games.

The third hearing will focus on ensuring the Boston 2024 bid coincides with the Boston 2030 effort, Boston’s long-term plan for the future of Boston, using Boston’s 400th birthday to build a framework for future growth and operations of the City while measuring our success and shortfalls. Ultimately, hosting the 2024 Olympics feasibility relies heavily on being aligned with Boston’s 2030 effort.

Lastly, the fourth hearing will take a closer look at finances, examining in depth the costs of the 2024 Games. How the games will be funded and the expected costs have been addressed in a general sense; however, as the bid moves forward, a more specific financial review is needed to ensure the 2024 Games are successful for the City of Boston.

By holding these four hearings, the Special Committee on 2024 Olympics intends to flush out key aspects of proposing a bid to compete for the 2024 Olympics. Boston is bidding for the 2024 Olympics to be the Boston Games. The Boston City Council believes these forums will be extremely valuable for Boston regardless of whether or not Boston hosts the games.