With the cities of Hamburg, Rome and Budapest all having withdrawn from the race for a 2024 Olympic hosting bid, just Paris, France and Los Angeles, California remain. The hosting decision is set to be made at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) next session on September 13th in Lima, Peru, however, that decision may now prove especially groundbreaking.
USA Today reports that IOC President Thomas Bach has ‘repeatedly hinted’ at awarding hosting rights for both the 2024 and 2028 Games at the same time, even though only the 2024 Games decision is on the ballot at this time. A 4-person working group within the IOC is said to be preparing proposals to present to its Board and body of members, including one that would potentially alter the Olympic Charter rule that says host cities must be picked 7 years in advance.
“All the options are on the table, and this includes also the ’24-’28 procedure and vote,” said Bach today, March 17th.
“We have two excellent candidates there from two major Olympic countries. This is a position you like to be in.
“You must always have room for interpretation to adapt to changing times,” Bach stated further. “The charter is flexible enough also in this respect.”
“We are in a comfortable situation. Now it will be up to the working group how to best explore, how to best exploit, the positive situation,” Bach said. “We should not miss the opportunity to explore this opportunity.”
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