The first meeting will take place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Centre on January 21, with a further nine scheduled over the course of the year in order to discuss the benefits of potentially hosting the Games and also the impact they could have on the city.

The gatherings represent the first step in a broader public process as the campaign aims to garner substantial support, while Boston attempts to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to the United States for the first time since the Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002.

The meetings will aim to gauge public opinion and express ideas, and many of those who have expressed opposition to the bid will be able to put forward their concerns.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) surprised many when they announced Boston had been chosen ahead of San Francisco, Washington DC and Los Angeles, which hosted the Games in 1984.

But the decision was met with opposition from a group called "No Boston Olympics", which claims that the Games will prove too costly for taxpayers, and that such a momentous choice should not be made without a public referendum.

The "No Boston Olympics" opposition group claims that a Games in the city will prove too costly for taxpayers ©No Boston Olympics/Facebook


A recent poll, conducted by the Boston Globe, showed a close result between supporters and opposition, with 47 per cent in favour and 43 per cent against.

Despite widespread concerns of the cost of hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the region, Boston looks set to utilise current infrastructure in favour of spending lavish amounts on new stadiums and facilities.

The TD Garden Arena, and college facilities, including Harvard Stadium, Boston College's Conte Forum and Boston University's Agganis Arena, could all host events at the Games, although they are planning to construct a removable Olympic stadium at Widett Circle.

Rome is the only other city to have confirmed it will run against Boston for the 2024 Games, but Germany is expected to put forward a potential bid city, and other European cities being touted include Baku, Budapest and Istanbul.

Further afield, the Qatari capital of Doha and either Pretoria or Gauteng Province in South Africa are rumoured to be launching bids.

All potential host cities have until September 15 to cement a concrete campaign.

Anyone who wants to sign up to attend the meetings can click here to register with the campaign.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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