Baltimore-D.C. Area Bid To Host 2024 Olympics Closer To Reality
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore and Washington, D.C.'s bid to host the Olympics gets a little closer to reality. Two of our closest competitors have dropped their bids to represent the United States in the 2024 Summer Games.
Christie Ileto has more on the possible impact of a D.C.-Baltimore Olympics.
It's news the Baltimore-D.C. area is hoping they could soon get--a U.S. bid to the 2024 Olympics. Once contending with five other big cities, Philadelphia and New York announced Wednesday they are dropping out of the race, putting Baltimore two steps closer to hosting the world's largest sporting event.
"The Olympics is often about timing," said David Warshawski.
Warshawski's Baltimore-based marketing and PR firm helped make the last pitch.
"The timing is right. The world sentiment is also a little bit different from where the bid was in 2012," he said.
Boosters argue that most of the athletic venues that would need to be built for the Olympics are already in place, like at M&T Bank Stadium.
From world class stadiums to extensive security, excitement is brewing across the capital region.
"I think it would be a great opportunity to showcase our city. And I think that when it comes to doing big events, we do them well," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Events like Baltimore's Grand Prix and Sailabration; not to mention the accessibility.
"It's easy to get here. It's easy to get away. You can come a lot of different ways," said Lynn Cox.
Out-of-towners tell WJZ getting around is effortless. Plus, the economic impact to the capital region would soar into the billions and create 70,000 new jobs, according to a study.
"There's a lot of economic upside for people in the region," said Mike Evitts, Downtown Partnership.
For now, Baltimore can only wait to see if the Olympic torch will be passed her way.
Bidding for the host city for the summer Olympic Games starts in 2015, with the winning bid to be announced in 2017. For more information, click here.
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