Philadelphia 2016 co-chair Joseph Torsella told a news conference Thursday he planned to wait for the next move from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) before talking in any specifics about Philadelphia 2016 venues and finances.
Some time in July the USOC is expected to advise the cities that want to represent the U.S. at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games where they stand.
A recent poll showed that four out of five residents of the region supported the idea of Philadelphia hosting the 2016 Olympic Summer Games. Torsella said, “what I take from the poll is that we need to have the bid make economic sense. If we don’t do these Games in a way that has sustainable, long-term economic impact for our community, shame on us”.
Alba E. Martinez, chief executive officer of the United Way of South-eastern Pennsylvania and co-chair of Philadelphia 2016’s community engagement committee said that community meetings would be held during the summer to hear public concerns about the Olympics, to encourage public involvement, and to gather ideas.
