Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake yesterday had "encouraging words" about a proposal by DC 2024 to bring the '24 Summer Olympics to the region, with sporting events "envisioned for both Baltimore and Annapolis," according to Scott Calvert of the Baltimore SUN. Rawlings-Blake in a statement said, "The opportunity for a regional approach for Baltimore, with D.C. as the lead, on an Olympic bid sounds promising" (Baltimore SUN, 8/29). In DC, Nathan Fenno writes a "reality absent from any news release" is that hosting an Olympics is a "quick ticket to massive debt, unused facilities and touted economic benefits that never seem to materialize" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/29). Also in DC, Mike DeBonis noted the details on "which regional interests are thus far backing the effort remain sketchy." DeBonis asks, "Which heavy hitters are backing DC 2024, and how is the group paying for its efforts that, if successful, will require several billion dollars of public investment?" That is being "kept close to the vest for the moment." What is clear is that DC 2024's outreach "to local elected officials has been uneven at best" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/28). Also in DC, Tracee Hamilton writes there is "no way the Olympics comes to Washington in 2024." It is "just not going to happen." The DC 2024 bid committee has a "snowball's chance in Sochi of bringing the Games here." Hamilton: "I'd also be surprised if Washington makes it past the first stage" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/29).
