Boston 2024 appoint global consultancy group to assess Olympic and Paralympic bid

Boston 2024 have appointed The Brattle Group to conduct a review into their bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games ©The Brattle Group

Global consultancy firm The Brattle Group will conduct an independent analysis concerning the positives and negatives of Boston’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it has been announced.

The company, based locally in Cambridge, are set to complete their analysis and produce a report by August, a month before the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) must officially confirm Boston’s candidacy to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The study, which has attracted some criticism as it could cost a reported $250,000 (£163,000/€224,000), has been commissioned by Boston Governor Charlie Baker along with House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg.

The Brattle Group’s report is expected to investigate aspects surrounding the much-maligned bid, including infrastructure costs, funding sources and the overall economic impact, which has been a cause for concern among Boston residents.

It is hoped that the company’s analysis will help allay fears over how much taxpayers money will be used to support Boston’s candidacy.

Boston 2024 held talks last week in Lausanne with the IOC to reassure them their bid was not in jeopardy.

The move to conduct a study, which itself is behind schedule after it was announced back in March that they had planned to carry out an independent report, was welcomed by Boston 2024 chief operating officer Erin Murphy, who says that it can help with the issue of transparency.

The Brattle Group's report has been commissioned by Boston Governon Charlie Baker along with House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg ©Getty Images

“We welcome the decision to bring on an independent expert to advise state leadership on this effort and pledge to work closely with the Brattle Group as we move from proof of concept to a detailed plan,” she said.

“Input from state and local leaders as well as our ongoing community engagement process is helping shape the next phase of our plans and bringing us much closer to a preliminary Games concept that reflects the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020 and the city’s 2030 planning.”

The lack of transparency on Boston’s bid has been one of the main criticisms levelled at the Bid Committee ever since it was chosen ahead of San Francisco, Washington D.C and 1984 Olympic host city Los Angeles as USOC’s preferred 2024 candidate.

But the release of the results of the study could help the city regain some of the early support it enjoyed ahead of the September deadline, although concerns remain over how public money may have to be used to foot some of the additional costs.

Boston 2024 have reiterated throughout the early stages of their candidacy that private funds, collected through through ticket sales, sponsorships, and media rights, would form a large part of financing the cost of building venues and the overall running of the Games.

The announcement has also been welcomed by opposition group No Boston Olympics, who are set to share the research they themselves have undertaken with The Brattle Group.

“Governor Baker, Senate President Rosenberg, and Speaker DeLeo understand that Boston 2024's plans could expose taxpayers to immense financial risk,” a No Boston Olympics statement read.

“The Brattle Group has demonstrated experience helping assess value, risk, and cost.

“We look forward to sitting down with them to share our analysis of the Boston2024 bid.”