The next eight days could make or break Boston’s effort to land the 2024 Olympics.
Facing a June 30 deadline to deliver wholesale revisions to the widely panned original plan, the Boston 2024 partnership must effectively answer critics’ questions or risk permanently losing a skeptical Massachusetts public, wealthy donors, frustrated politicians and possibly even the U.S. Olympic Committee, a close partner.
On June 30, Boston officials will update the USOC board, which could kill the bid before a September International Olympic Committee application deadline if it deems the revisions lacking. That appears to be unlikely for now, but USOC Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun said the 16-member board still needs to be convinced that Boston can win on the international stage.
In an interview, Blackmun said the USOC needs to know soon that competition venue plans are on the right track with property owners and civic planners, if not fully locked down. They also need to be convinced that the budgeting makes sense and that Boston is capable of beating the likes of Paris and Rome, a faceoff in which local public opinion and political support matters.
“Boston is working on those things,” Blackmun said June 9. “I don’t think it all has to be completed in the next three weeks, but we have to be comfortable in the next three weeks that we can win and deliver an exceptional Games.”
Blackmun said he thinks the new plan will reset the public debate in Massachusetts. That’s what new bid committee chair and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca is counting on as well.
“At the end of the day, I think our biggest challenge is putting enough meat on the bones of the plan that the people of Boston feel confident that this makes sense,” Blackmun said. “Once they do that, I think it completely changes the dialogue in a positive way.”
Erin Murphy, Boston 2024 COO, said in a statement: “We are working closely with the USOC and believe we have a strong plan for a sustainable, financially responsible Games that will win support in Boston and across the state.”
Support for the Games has fallen short of a majority in every poll conducted in the city, the Boston metro region and statewide, other than an initial positive response just after the USOC chose Boston in January. Another botched rollout could cement those numbers as the September deadline approaches, while a more positive reception could provide a big lift going into the summer months.
“It’s certainly a key moment,” said Steve Koczela, president of MassINC Polling Group, which has conducted the most frequent surveys on the bid. “It’s the biggest thing that’s going to happen for the next couple of months as far as communications from Boston 2024 to the public.”
In the last two weeks, the bid committee has announced suburban venues for several sports, including sailing, shooting, tennis and beach volleyball. Those moves that could gain more statewide political support while easing land-use tensions in the city.
The USOC won’t put forth a bid it thinks is hopeless, but the committee also has strong incentives to press ahead. By 2024, it will have been 22 years since an American Olympics, and Olympic business experts say a domestic Games would be a boon to U.S. pride and fundraising. Blackmun said the USOC board still believes in Boston’s overarching theme and rationale for the Games.
But other powerful stakeholders may not be so committed. At the request of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and top legislative Democrats, the Brattle Group will analyze the bid for risks and costs to government and issue a report by mid-August. Politicians looking for a justification to lead a political attack on the Olympic bid will scour it closely for talking points. Mayor Marty Walsh, for instance, ostensibly a bid enthusiast, has said he won’t sign any document that would compel the city to cover cost overruns. Baker has been described as frustrated by the bid.
Blackmun said his relationship with Walsh is good, but he hasn’t spoken to Baker. “I’m not sure I can have an effective communication with him until I can answer the questions he’s publicly said are most important,” Blackmun said.
Fundraising progress also hangs in the balance for the private nonprofit, which appears to be behind the pace needed to meet its $75 million target. As of March 31, the group had raised $14 million in a combination of cash and in-kind contributions, including $3.87 million in the most recent quarter, according to a financial disclosure report
To raise the remaining $61 million in the 10 quarters left until the IOC vote in 2017, it will need to raise $6.1 million per quarter, or nearly 58 percent better than the first quarter of 2015. An improved public standing could play a key role in convincing donors to give more.
Murphy said Boston 2024 is meeting its fundraising goals. “We anticipate the generous support will grow as we continue to unveil our plans and build momentum for the bid,” she said.
