In a decision that "stunned many Olympic historians and longtime observers," the USOC on Thursday selected Boston as its bid city for the '24 Games, meaning L.A.'s quest to host the event for a third time "was once again denied," according to Scott Reid of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. The USOC also selected Boston over DC and S.F., and its decision was "another major, perhaps final, blow" to L.A.'s bid to host another Olympics (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/9). In L.A., David Wharton writes in the end, it "seems that city officials could not overcome a sense of been-there, done-that." The result "surprised many in and around" the U.S. Olympic movement who had considered L.A. and S.F. "to be front-runners" (L.A. TIMES, 1/9). Also in L.A., Bill Plaschke writes it is "impossible to fathom the USOC's turning its back on the ready-made venues present" in the city. L.A. residents "have proved they would welcome the Games, while many in Boston already don't want them" (L.A. TIMES, 1/9). But in San Diego, Mark Zeigler writes Boston offers something L.A. "doesn't, a city that hasn't already hosted the Olympics and is steeped in American history" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/9).
FOURTH TIME NOT A CHARM: In San Jose, Emmons & Almond write it "turned out that the fourth time wasn't the charm after all" for S.F. A report this week about a "second option for the main Olympic venue gave the perception" that S.F. organizers were "worried about the bid's strength." But Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee CEO and former Olympic swimmer Anne Cribbs, a co-leader of the S.F. 2024 bid, said, "I really thought this was our time" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/9). S.F. Mayor Ed Lee said, "I don't know yet what the points were or (where) we came in" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/9). In San Jose, Mark Purdy wrote the S.F. organizers "were well-meaning in their attempt," but they were "on a fool's mission." S.F. "tried to do too much of the heavy lifting by itself," and it is "not capable of playing host to an Olympics on its lonesome." The city "isn't big enough" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/9). In S.F., Ann Killion writes, "The USOC saved us a decade of kvetching about traffic gridlock, spiraling debt and the idiocy of hosting rhythmic gymnastics" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/9).
APPLAUDING THE EFFORT: The WASHINGTON POST's Dave Sheinin writes it was a "daunting task" convincing USOC leaders that DC, with its "attendant symbolism of American strength and political ambition, would be a wonderful setting for a Summer Games." Sheinin: "In the end, it may have been that very association that torpedoed the city’s chances" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/9). DC 2024 Vice Chair Ted Leonsis said that he was "'proud of the effort' the committee put forth and has no doubt that 'sports will continue to drive economic growth and opportunities' in the region" (Baltimore SUN, 1/9).
