Officially opened on September 15 with the submission of application letters, the race to host the 2024 Summer Games has reached its first interim stage: the submission at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne of the first of three application files, focusing on the vision, concept of the Games, and strategy. All four bidders submitted their applications on time and continue on with the adventure.
Now, a working group from the IOC must delve into the four voluminous documents, averaging around sixty pages each, to prepare a report which will be presented in June 2016 to the executive committee.
The next deadline is scheduled for no later than October 7, 2016, with the submission of the second application file, dealing with legal, governance, and financial issues.
Finally, the last interim stage will be on February 3, 2017, when the cities must submit a third document, focused on the Games’ preparation, experience, and legacy of the Olympic sites.
The race is well underway. But it’s just beginning. Some observers agree to place Paris and Los Angeles at the forefront, ahead of Rome and Budapest. An early analysis, as everything can change until the last moment. The final weeks can sometimes be decisive.
It’s even said that Paris lost to London for the 2012 Summer Games on the very day of the vote.
Meanwhile, an initial assessment of the contestants is necessary.
Budapest
The Hungarian bid is a first in history. It is the only one from a former communist bloc country. The project leaders have built it respecting the IOC’s Agenda 2020 resolutions. Few constructions, a very reasonable Olympic budget (2.4 billion euros), and a rather scattered setup with events organized sometimes far from the capital.
The Hungarian proposal enjoys political support. It is co-signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlos, National Olympic Committee President Zsolt Borkai, and lastly the bid leader Balazs Furjes.
The strongman of the bid is expected to be Pal Schmitt, a double Olympic fencing champion, former President of the Republic, and IOC member. Budapest 2024 has not yet unveiled its campaign slogan or launched its official website.
Planned dates for the Games: July 19 to August 4, 2024.
Los Angeles
Joining the race last, after Boston’s withdrawal, the Californian city quickly made up for lost time. It has already hosted the Summer Games twice, in 1932 and 1984, but promises a new experience, reflecting a metropolis in constant transformation. 97% of the venues exist or will be built, regardless of the Games, with private funding.
The bid team is chaired by Casey Wasserman. Former swimmer Janet Evans will play a major role, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Magic Johnson is expected to be one of the first ambassadors.
In Los Angeles, the Olympic Games would take place from July 19 to August 4. The Californian city has presented its logo and unveiled its campaign slogan: “Follow the Sun”.
Rome
The Italian capital organized the Summer Games in 1960. Its project for 2024 aims to be modest, notably with the bid budget (27 million euros). In Rome, the Games would cost 5.3 billion euros, including 2.1 billion euros for the construction of new infrastructures.
Relying on facilities from the 1960 Games (Foro Italico, for example), Rome 2024 proposes a setup where 70% of the sites already exist.
The project is led by Luca di Montezemolo, former CEO of Ferrari. The other two key figures are expected to be Giovanni Malagò, President of the National Olympic Committee (CONI), and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
In Rome, the Games would take place from August 2 to 18, 2024.
Paris
The French capital has not hosted the Games since 1924. It has learned from its successive failures for the 1992, 2008, and 2012 Games, this time placing athletes and the sports movement at the forefront.
Its setup is compact, with few constructions (athletes’ and media village, aquatic park, Bercy Arena 2).
The bid is co-chaired by Bernard Lapasset, President of World Rugby, and Tony Estanguet, a triple canoe champion and IOC member. The political support is indisputable, as is the commitment of the private sector, evidenced by the signing of seven partners, each contributing 2 million euros.
In Paris, the Olympic Games would take place from August 2 to 18, 2024. The bid has presented its logo and its slogan (“The Power of a Dream”).
