The Bain Capital executive and Boston Celtics co-owner has acted as a vice-chairman since February, but has now replaced Fish, the driving force behind the Olympic and Paralympic Games campaign since 2013, who himself has become a vice-chairman. 

Later next month, the bid process is moving from the proof of concept stage to preliminary plans, which will be shared with a broad community of stakeholders.

Boston 2024 claims it is therefore “shifting its leadership to focus more on sports management, the athlete and spectator experience, and venue and infrastructure planning”, areas in which Pagliuca's expertise are said to exist. 

The 60-year-old will be responsible for focusing on strengthening the business model of delivering privately-funded Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Boston 2024 Partnership has significantly benefitted from John’s vision and tireless efforts to bring us to this important point in the bid process, and we’re fortunate that he remains dedicated to going the distance as we aim to bring the Games back to the US,” said Pagliuca.

"As a leadership team with complementary skills and experiences, we’re focused on collaborating with community partners, elected officials, Olympians and Paralympians, our Board and the dedicated Boston 2024 staff and volunteers to develop by June 30 a fiscally responsible, privately-funded Games concept that will leave long-term benefits for the city of Boston and for the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.”

Fish positioned Boston to win the right to be the United States bid for the 2024 Games in the first phase of the three-year process.

"My goal is the same as it has been from the beginning of this journey: to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Boston and back to the United States,” he said. 

“I recruited Steve Pagliuca because of the sports expertise and leadership he brings to the bid.

“I will continue to serve as a vice-chairman and do everything I can on behalf of the bid.

“I believe that under Steve’s leadership, supported by a strong group of vice-chairs and Board members, we have the best shot to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Boston in 2024.

“I look forward to working with them to make that dream a reality.”

Also joining the Boston 2024 team is Peter Roby, the director of athletics and recreation at Northeastern University, in the roles of vice-chairman and director of the Board.

As a former men's basketball head coach at Harvard University, marketing vice-president at Reebok and director of Northeastern's Centre for Sport in Society, it is hoped Roby’s insights will help integrate the region’s educational institutions and focus on scholar athletes with the broader bid planning.

Meanwhile Jack Connors, a founding partner of Boston-based advertising agency Hill Holliday, and Larry Lucchino, now in his 14th year as President and chief executive of the Boston Red Sox, have been named senior advisors.

Connors will advise the bid leadership on strategies in an effort to position Boston’s education, innovation, culture and sports communities to key stakeholders around the world.

Lucchino will remain in his role with the Red Sox while volunteering his services to advise and guide the Boston 2024 team.

Boston 2024's Board has also formalised committees that will provide oversight in the organisation’s operations, finances and governance.

The Executive Committee of the Board, led by Pagliuca, meets quarterly, and will provide leadership direction on the bid’s operational progress, especially related to venue planning, financing, and the athlete experience.

The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board will be chaired by Carol Fulp and support Boston 2024 as it looks to continue the expansion of its Board members roster. 

Additional directors are expected to join, representing a cross-section of interests in the community and in the Olympic and Paralympic family.

Hamburg and Rome have already declared their intentions to bid for the Games, and candidacies from both Paris and Budapest are expected to follow.

Interested cities have until September 15 to formally put forward their candidacy, with the International Olympic Committee due to elect its chosen host at its Session in the Peruvian capital Lima in 2017.


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