After numerous European cities declined to bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, the trend has spilled over into the 2024 Summer Olympics. This week, the city of Los Angeles was launched to the top of the list of U.S. host cities to bid for the 2024 Olympics. This after the city of Boston backed out of its commitment that had been in place for almost a year.
The city of Boston cited concerns over cost, which they attributed to losing public support. After Boston backed out of its bid, the city of Los Angles stepped up to be the host city bidder. Los Angeles was originally the runner up to Boston and hurriedly passed a resolution in support of the bid prior Mayor Eric Garcetti traveling to Switzerland.
Other cities in contention to host the 2024 games include Paris, Rome, Budapest, and Hamburg. Some cities were hesitant to bid for the same reasons why Boston backed out.
Image of Olympic Park in London in 2012. The city incurred a cost of three to four times what was budgeted prior to the actual Olympics.
The New York Times reported that the most recent host of the Olympic games, London, saw a three to four times increase from its original projected cost to the actual cost. This has been a trend that other cities do not want to involve themselves in.
It will still be a while before the host city is announced; however, Mayor Garcetti vowed that Los Angeles would cover any cost overruns should the city be chosen. Be careful what you promise, Mayor.
