According to Olympic officials, potential technical operational issues with Conte Forum are currently precluding Boston College from inclusion in early talks of Boston’s Olympic bid.
Two weeks ago, Boston 2024 officials and Mayor Martin J. Walsh, WCAS ’09, stood in front of a crowd of more than 300 Bostonians for the first time in public and answered questions about the city’s potential olympic bid. Many of the events plan to be held on college and university campuses across the city—what Boston 2024 officials referred to as the “University Cluster.” John Fish, chairman of Boston 2024 and chair on the Boston College Board of Trustees, explained that a cluster of universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Boston University, are scheduled to host a majority of the athletic events. Thus far, Boston College has been left out of Boston 2024 Olympic plans
“BC was originally in the proof of concept plans to host some events at Alumni and Conte Forum,” John Fitzgerald, a senior project manager from the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the liaison between the city and the Boston 2024 Organizing Committee, said in an email. “Some folks at the USOC saw potential technical operational issues with Conte Forum, so it was left out for the time being. As these concepts evolve, I imagine BC will play some role in hosting the Games, be it an event or another use that would occupy their facilities.”
University spokesman Jack Dunn was previously unaware of Boston 2024’s decision to potentially omit the University from its plans to host the Olympic Games, although he believes that BC’s location in Chestnut Hill is one factor that led Boston 2024’s executive decision.
“My sense is it might have to do with location,” Dunn said. “The Olympic Committee has stated that they’d like to host events in closer proximity to downtown Boston and the core train stops. As we have said, we are happy to work with the Mayor and the Olympic committee to determine ways in which we may be of service.”
Boston 2024 leaders and city officials will host a series of public meetings that will run through September. According to Walsh, the bid is currently in a concept phase and no final decisions have been made regarding venues and transportation.
Featured Image by Drew Hoo / Heights Editor