Boston 2024 hold talks in Lausanne to try to reassure IOC that bid is not in jeopardy

A delegation from Boston 2024 visited the Olympic Museum during their trip to Lausanne ©Boston 2024

Boston 2024 chairman Steve Pagliuca has visited the International Olympic Committee (IOC) here for the first time in his new role as American officials tried to offer them reassurance that they remain committed to their campaign.

Doubts have been cast over Boston's ability to continue because of poor public support in the city, which is partly why Pagliuca was earlier this month appointed to replace John Fish.

Angela Ruggiero, a member of the IOC and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board, is among those to have fuelled rumours that the city could withdraw when she warned there could be “no guarantees” Boston would be America's candidate.

Ruggiero was part of a high-level delegation to visit here to hold meetings with the IOC about the situation, along with Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics, and Larry Probst, chairman of the USOC, as part of the IOC's new invitation phase introduced as part of the Agenda 2020 initiative, designed to allow cities to learn about bidding for the Olympics and Paralympics.

“The USOC is fully committed to bringing the Olympic Games back to the United States," said Probst.

"We are privileged and excited to be in Lausanne with our partners – the Boston 2024 bid team and the City of Boston.

"The new invitation phase is a well-conceived initiative of [IOC] President Thomas Bach which allows us to tap into the vast experience and expertise of the IOC."

The visit included a trip to the Olympic Museum before heading to the Olympic Headquarters for a series of meetings attended by Christophe Dubi, the IOC's Olympic Games Executive Director, and Jacqueline Barrett, the IOC's head of bid city relations.

Image title — Boston's bid to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics has suffered from lack of public support ©Getty Images

“Our delegation was honoured to engage with key members of the IOC administration today," said Pagliuca.

"We are very grateful to the IOC for giving us the opportunity to meet with them and learn about how Olympic Agenda 2020 will help us both deliver a great Games and align with the city’s vision for 2030.

"We are committed to collaborating with all our key stakeholders to deliver the very best possible bid that will ensure long-term benefits for the city of Boston and the Olympic Movement."

Roger Crandall, the vice-chair of Boston 2024, was among inspired by the visit here.

“Visiting the Olympic Museum this morning was a truly inspiring experience and only heightened our passion to host the Games,” he said.

“It really reinforced the magic and unity of the Olympic Games and we humbly hope that one day photographs and memorabilia from Boston 2024 will take their place on display in the Museum.”