Would the Olympics Work in Boston?
Bostonians that feel the city has even the slightest chance of landing the 2020 Olympics will want to root against Chicago getting the nod today for the 2016 Summer Games.
According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Boston is one of five cities, along with Birmingham, Ala., Detroit, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh, that is examining making a bid for the 2020 Olympics. If the Windy City is awarded the 2016 Games, it's hard to imagine the International Olympic Committee returning to the United States just four years later.
While such an idea in Boston would have been laughable a decade ago, the Big Dig, a new convention center, and better infrastructure in the heart of the city might make it a talking point at the very least. A Facebook group named "BOSTON2020" has more than 4,000 members supporting the idea, and citing the pieces already in place: Gillette Stadium for track and field and opening and closing ceremonies, the Charles River for rowing events, the TD Garden for basketball, and multiple indoor collegiate arenas for volleyball, judo, wrestling, etc.
Maybe it's far-fetched, but if Chicago isn't awarded 2016, Boston four years later becomes a talking point. As for the Winter Olympics, such an event would have to be a lot more stretched out into the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, but seeing as Lake Placid hosted them 29 years ago, the New England possibility might remain with a flicker of hope.
Photo courtesy Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Comments
Unfortunately the Charles River would not comply with FISA Rowing requirements and would not be able to be used for a rowing/canoe course. However, Lake Quinsigamond, in Worcester, is a plausible course site.
Give it UP! The USA has been shot down repeatedly in IOC voting over the past 10 years. The US has the same number of delegates voting as Panama. Snowball’s chance in hell of getting the Olympics. The world doesn’t want them in the US, they think the other options (Rio, Tokyo, Madrid) are better. I think Madrid will try for a 3rd time and get the games in 2020. Boston (and the other potential cities) would be better served spending their money hosting oher sporting and cultural events.
boston for summer olympics ? seriously doubt it. frankly they have a better chance hosting indoor events or the winter olympics.
400,000 dorm rooms in 20 square miles, 4hrs from NYC, and better traffic than Chicago….bring it home mumbles!