The race to host the 2024 Olympics came into clearer focus Feb. 17, when each of the four bid cities published its initial documents describing plans for the Games.
In this first of three stages of bidding, the cities were invited to share their vision, Games concept and strategy. While the International Olympic Committee will evaluate details, Olympic races often are won by the city with the most compelling narrative for what their version of the Games would offer the world.
Meaty details like governance, venue funding and operational details must be submitted in two additional stages, set for October and February 2017. The IOC will choose the host in September 2017.
Here is a breakdown of various key aspects of the bids:
| TALE OF THE TAPE |
LOS ANGELES |
PARIS |
ROME |
BUDAPEST |
| VISION |
“LA 2024 will reimagine a New Games for a New Era.” |
“A better world through sport; a better Paris with sport; a better future for the benefit of sport” |
“The art of the Italian welcome and lifestyle to unite the world through sport.” |
“A new beginning for Budapest that promises to reinvigorate the Olympic Movement.” |
| VENUE STRATEGY |
“97 percent of the venues in the LA 2024 plan either exist, are already planned as permanent venues by private investors, or will be temporary facilities.” |
“More than 70% of the venues in our Games plan are existing facilities. A further 25% will be temporary structures.” Two large permanent venues must be built. |
“We will showcase the legacy of the Rome 1960 Olympic and Paralympic Games by using these venues again in 2024, avoiding the need for significant construction projects.” A velodrome is the largest new construction needed. |
Budapest proposes far more original construction than the others. “Budapest 2024 has carefully considered the development of new venues and, where there is no legacy need, temporary solutions are proposed. All permanent venues involve currently planned projects, or venues that are needed to support community and high performance sport or other event and cultural requirements for Budapest.” |
| CEREMONIES/TRACK & FIELD VENUE |
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with $270 million in USC renovations |
Stade de France |
Stadio Olimpico (renovated in 2009, with more coming) |
New multipurpose stadium, with construction funded by the government. |
| ATHLETE VILLAGE PLAN |
UCLA student housing; the Games will pay rent. |
$1.85 billion public-private residential development near River Seine, centered around historic Cité du Cinéma. |
New government-funded development on a 600-hectare site owned by the Tor Vergata University, to be turned over to the university after the Games. |
Government-funded mixed-use development along the Danube River, with private units to be sold to private buyers after the Games. |
| GEOGRAPHY |
Venues grouped into four clusters around L.A. County; six additional sports venues (not counting preliminary soccer sites); all within a 30-minute drive using dedicated Olympic lanes. |
Two major clusters in greater Paris within 6.2 miles of central Paris, 17 other sport venues outside the city. |
Five main clusters, all within a 30-minute drive of Village cluster, with 19 stand-alone venues. |
Seven venue clusters, each within 6.2 miles of central city, loosely connected by the Danube River. |
| FINANCING STRATEGY |
Sponsorship, merchandise, tickets, IOC for direct Games budget; private capital investment by partners like UCLA and USC. |
Sponsorship, merchandise, tickets, IOC for direct costs; public-private partnership on major capital projects like the village. |
Government will cover all construction costs; Games budget funded by sponsorship, tickets, IOC and a special lottery. |
Government will cover all development/construction costs, and will share Games budget with sponsorship, tickets and the IOC. |
