Boston was chosen on Thursday as the US candidate to host the 2024 Olympic Games, hopeful of showing the world’s finest athletes its determined recovery from the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy in 2013.
Boston outclassed Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington in voting by the 15-member US Olympic Committee (USOC) board of directors, after multiple rounds of voting and “spirited discussion” to decide among the finalists in a 22-month evaluation process.
The US is chasing its first Summer Olympics since the 1996 centennial edition in Atlanta, Georgia. Boston’s candidacy follows failed bids by New York for the 2012 Olympics, Chicago for 2016 and no entry for 2020 in order to re-evaluate plans.
Three people were killed and more than 260 others were injured from bombs that exploded near the finish line of the 2013 edition of the Boston Marathon.
Runners and citizens fought to recover from the horrific attack with a spirit that became known by the catchphrase “Boston Strong,” one evoked by the White House in sending US President Barack Obama’s congratulations to Boston.
“The city has taught all of us what it means to be ‘Boston Strong,’” the White House said in a statement. “The president and first lady couldn’t be prouder of this accomplishment and 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.”
However, Boston will enter a field expected to include candidates from Italy, Germany and France.
The International Olympic Committee is due to select a host at its meeting in Lima, Peru, in 2017.
The US has won the most medals at the past five Games and is home to many of the richest corporate sponsors of the Olympic movement, as well as its top-paying television rights partners.
The US is seeking a fifth Olympics after St Louis, Missouri, in 1904, Los Angeles in 1932 and 1984, and Atlanta.
Boston offers a bid that is geographically compact and relies largely on existing venues.
A temporary Olympic Stadium would host athletics, and the opening and closing ceremonies, and an Olympic village for athletes would be changed after the event into student housing.
“A Boston Games can be one of the most innovative, sustainable and exciting in history, and will inspire the next generation of leaders here and around the world,” Boston bid committee chairman John Fish said.
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