Mayor Menino: Bringing 2024 Olympics To Boston 'Far-Fetched'

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is calling a proposal to hold the 2024 Summer Olympics in the city "far-fetched."

The Boston Olympic Exploratory Committee, a private group, met with City Hall officials Monday in what committee chairman Eric Reddy told The Boston Globe was a promising meeting.

But in an interview with WBUR's Bob Oakes on Tuesday, Menino expressed concerns.

"I think it's far-fetched," Menino said. "I'd also be concerned about the cost of it and what it costs to taxpayers of the city of Boston. Just to apply, to be considered costs $6-8 million — not refundable either. So that's $6-8 million that was used of public funds to apply for consideration for the Olympics. At this time, I think it's a far-fetched idea, and just wish that I knew about it before it was in the paper."

He added that the city's application fee could be better used elsewhere.

"Especially in these economic times, with what's happening in Washington today and what could possibly happen in the state, I need every penny I have to make sure we continue the services to the people of Boston," Menino said.

Menino also cited the issue of space in the city, calling the building of an Olympic stadium and an athletes village a "huge undertaking."

"I just don't know where we could create that massive land in our city or in the surrounding cities," he said.

In November, the Boston exploratory committee drafted a bill with state Sen. Eileen Donoghue, of Lowell, which was filed in January. The bill would create a commission to study the possibility of hosting the 2024 Games in Boston.

The United States Olympic Committee is asking 35 cities about their interest in a potential bid to bring the games back to the country for the first time since 1996.

Would you like to see Boston host the 2024 Summer Olympics? Let us know in the comments.