Washington, Jan 9: The city of Boston would bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, the US Olympics Committee (USOC) announced Thursday and the decision was promptly welcomed by the US President, Barack Obama.
Boston, the victim of marathon bombings last year, has never hosted Olympics. The city was selected over three major US cities - Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
"The President and First Lady extend their congratulations to the City of Boston on its nomination by the United States Olympic Committee to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games," the White House Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, said.
The U.S. last hosted the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 1996 (Atlanta) while St. Louis hosted in 1904 and Los Angeles held the Games in both 1932 and 1984.
"The city has taught all of us what it means to be Boston Strong. The President and First Lady couldn't be prouder of this accomplishment and of all of our nation's athletes, and strongly support the effort to bring the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the United States. We hope to welcome athletes from around the globe to compete in Boston in 2024," Earnest said.
"This bid uniquely combines an exciting, athlete-focused concept for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games with Boston's existing long-term vision. We look forward to working with Mayor Walsh and the Boston 2024 team to fully engage with the local community and identify ways we can make the bid even better," USOC Chairman Larry Probst said in a statement.
"It is an exceptional honor for Boston to be chosen as the U.S. representative in the running for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
"This selection is in recognition of our city's talent, diversity and global leadership. Our goal is to host Olympic and Paralympic Games that are innovative, walkable and hospitable to all. Boston hopes to welcome the world's greatest athletes to one of the world's great cities," he added.
The International Olympic Committee's deadline for 2024 bid submissions is September 15, 2015, with the host city to be determined in 2017.
The timeline for the 2024 bidding process was announced during the IOC Extraordinary Session in early December, during which time Olympic Agenda 2020 was finalised.
PTI