Backers of Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games said Tuesday they want a state-wide referendum in 2016 on whether a bid should go forward, Reuters reports, adding that they would abandon any attempt for a bid without majority support state-wide and in Boston.
The proposal was made by John Fish, a construction executive serving as chairman of he Boston 2024 Partnership. He said, “we want to build consensus state-wide, and we also want to have public support in the city, and so we’re making a statement that if we can’t have success state-wide and city-wide, the bid will not go forward”.
According to Reuters the ballot would take place in November 2016 which would ensure high turnout as it will be a presidential election year, and would also give Olympic backers another 18 months to make their case.
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has until September 15th to officially confirm Boston’s inclusion in the race.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he backed the idea of a referendum. He said, “the success of our bid for the Olympics depends on the support of residents and we should only move forward in a way that will bring the greatest benefit to the city and its neighborhoods”.
Rome and Hamburg are Boston’s competitors for the 2024 Olympics, The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be choosing the winner in 2017.
