Philadelphia’s mayor Michael Nutter sent the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) a letter Monday saying that the Philadelphia region is “enthusiastically” interested in bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
In his letter to Scott Blackmun, chief executive of the USOC, Nutter wrote, “I am honoured to confirm our wholehearted commitment and interest in working with the USOC to bid on the 2024 Games”, adding that “Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy, is the city founded in faith, tolerance and brotherly love – values which are wholly consistent with the spirit of the Olympics”.
In February the USOC contacted the 25 largest U.S. cities and 10 others that it felt could host the Games.
The budget would be about $3 billion, not including construction of any new venues.
The Mayor’s spokesman, Mark McDonald, said Monday that over the next few years the city will create a committee and “collect regional partners of political and business leaders to mount the bid”.
Larry Needle, executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, which looks to attract major sporting events and conventions on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, said the congress is “excited to now be exploring the opportunity”.
The USOC will first decide on several U.S. finalists, then select and candidate to compete for the Games.
