Boston Backlash To Olympic Bid

On Monday Boston submitted its bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics and not everyone is excited about it. In fact lots of Bostonians are downright against it.

The last couple of Olympic games have been some of the most expensive in history. Beijing spent nearly $40 billion (yes, billion with a B) and the Sochi tab ran more like $50 billion. Though Boston's price tag probably won't be as high, it could still run over $19 billion to bring the games to the commonwealth.

Clearly the expense is a big issue with those who have started the No Boston Olympics organization. Expense is definitely tops on their list of reasons not to host the games, pointing out that no host city has enjoyed lasting economic benefits from the games. And as co-founder Chris Dempsey told NPR, Boston "has far bigger and more important priorities than throwing a three-week party.”

Still there are of course plenty of supporters as well. Erin Murphy Rafferty, vice president of pro-Olympics committee Boston 2024 also spoke with NPR to point out some of the benefits of being a host city saying it "presents an opportunity to reinforce Boston’s brand as a global hub for education, health care, and technology."

Rafferty also says Boston would aim to keep hosting expense low by building as few structures as possible, making use of temporary sports venues, and hosting some events at local colleges and universities. And according to the Boston Globe roughly $4.5 billion Olympic operating budget would be funded without taxpayer money.

So what are your thoughts on trying to bring an Olympic games to Boston? Would you want to see such a huge global event in our own backyard? Do you think the Southcoast's economy could benefit from so much tourism to the state?