If Boston is awarded the '24 Olympics, it "likely will follow the course of other host cities," as plans involving the "location and size of venues could change dramatically" in the years leading up to the event, according to Shira Springer of the BOSTON GLOBE. Before Boston organizers "submit their bid book ... for the IOC vote in 2017, they will revise their plans with input from the community, IOC, USOC, and various sports federations." Even after the IOC "designates a host city, plans change." Some venues proposed as permanent facilities "become temporary to save money," and some parcels of land "become available while others are no longer usable." A university also "could partner with Olympic organizers to develop what will become a permanent venue on its campus." Historically, it has been "common for five or six venues to change" between initial bid plans and the opening of the Games. Bid architect David Manfredi said out of 33 venues, there are "definitely going to be sites where there's going to be pushback" that impacts plans. Manfredi also "anticipates changes because of 'physical reasons,' primarily whether some locations can support the activities planned for them and whether some land still will be available" in '24. Springer noted it is "more likely that some smaller, temporary venues would be relocated." Finding options for "smaller indoor venues such as the ones used in fencing, judo, or handball is relatively easy." For outdoor venues, environmental factors "come into play." A wind-sensitive sport such as archery "might be relocated if conditions at its venue prove unsuitable" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/10).
PLAYING IT SAFE: The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Matthew Futterman reported the Boston organizing committee “had until Friday to pay” a nearly $1M premium on a $25M insurance policy that “covers potential legal damages it might incur during the next two years.” Boston 2024 did make the “final payment of $912,500, not including taxes, to a consortium of carriers, after raising the money through private donations.” The policy “includes a provision protecting the committee from a steep fine from the USOC if organizers don’t see the bid through” to the IOC vote in ’17 (WSJ.com, 2/9).
GIVE IT TIME: In Boston, Encarnacao & Corsano noted London Mayor Boris Johnson -- who presided over the '12 Games -- predicted that "public angst about inconvenience and cost overruns will melt away" if Boston secures the '24 Games. Johnson said, "Everybody will moan, everybody will complain, and everybody will be gloomy until just before it takes off, when suddenly everybody will be overcome by euphoria. And they won’t be able to imagine how they could have even considered not bidding for the Olympics. And then it will go swimmingly well" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/9).
THE GIVING TREE: In Boston, Sacha Pfeiffer noted the private financing plan for the '24 Games "is sending ripples of anxiety through the city’s nonprofit sector, which worries the event would soak up philanthropic dollars that might otherwise go to charity." A Boston Olympics "could strain local nonprofits by putting more demands on social services, as happened" with the '96 Atlanta Games. With that in mind, some Boston nonprofits "are strategizing about how to prevent a drop in donations if the Olympics come to town." The nonprofits also are "angling for seats at the tables where decisions about the city’s bid are being made" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/10).
