Boston Marathon Route NOT Part of Boston 2024 Olympic Plans

By Susan Petroni (Patch staff)

The historic Boston Marathon, which starts in Hopkinton, and runs through Framingham, and ends on Boylston Street is not part of the plans for a Boston 2024 Summer Olympics.

That surprised many in attendance at a community forum Wednesday night at Ashland High, on how a possible Boston Olympics could have an impact on the MetroWest region.

The forum, hosted by Sen. Karen Spilka and several MetroWest organizations including the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the Metrowest/495 Partnership, and the Metrowest Visitors and Tourism Bureau, was moderated by Nikko Mendoza, vice president of community engagement for Boston 2024.

Mendoza told the audience that the U.S. and International Olympic Committees considered the historic Boston Marathon route “too difficult.”

“We have 37,000 runners come through here on a yearly basis,” said Ashland Selectman Joe Magnani.

Mendoza said the International Olympic Committee has “elevation” issues with the route.

The IAAF, which oversees track and field events, certified the route for the Boston Athletic Association, but has gone on record stating for an Olympic marathon, the elevation drop of 450 feet is too drastic, for it to certify the route.

Sen. Spilka, who has yet to take a position on an Olympic bid, did take an opinion on the marathon. She said the committee should incorporate the Boston Marathon into its 2024 plans.

“If the Olympics come to Massachusetts, it will definitely impact us (MetroWest) in many ways,” said Spilka who does not want any Commonwealth money used for the Olympics.

If the International Olympic Committee voted to bring the 2024 Olympics to Boston, the UMass Donahue Institute conducted a study and determined, the Olympics would:

• Create 24,000 construction jobs
• Create 50,000 jobs during the games
• Increase tourism jobs by 4,300

The economic impact, according to the institute, could mean a $4 billion increase in construction, $5 billion in the operations of the games, and an injection of $514 million in tourism dollars.

But the money and the jobs were not enough to sway some speakers last night to support the idea.

Paul Yorkis of Medway said the committee has a “substantial credibility issue regarding the financing.”

He compared the Boston 2024 Olympics bid with the Boston Big Dig.

“MetroWest is still paying tolls and paying for the Big Dig,” said Yorkis.

Mendoza said the Boston 2024 committee would bring in revenue from three main sources:

• Broadcast rights
• Ticket sales
• Sponsorships
  

The Boston 2024 Committee is promoting the Boston Olympic concept as both a walkable and public transit games.

Several audience members questioned what the games will do to the state’s already fractured transit system and congested highways.

Mendoza said organizers are committed to “delivering a successful games.” And she added the city and the MetroWest region ”need to continue to function” while the games take place.

“There will be no parking spaces at any of the venues” which are not just in Boston, but may include Harvard University, Gillette Stadium, Tsongas Arena, UMass Boston at Columbia Point, and MIT, explained Mendoza.

Regis College women’s soccer coach Liz Conan asked how her Weston college could host the U.S. women’s soccer team?

Mendoza told the Framingham resident to tell her College President she just ”signed up.”

If the Olympic bid is awarded to Boston for 2024, athletes will need training sites and Mendoza said that gives Framingham State University the opportunity to host maybe the Brazilian national team.

She said the committee would be reaching out to colleges, universities, and private institutions to host training sites.

Mendoza said MetroWest would be included in a torch relay of the Commonwealth’s 351 communities, and could host events as part of a required Cultural Olympiad.

“We want the MetroWest region to be involved,” said Mendoza.

She said MetroWest youth organizations could participate in events leading up to the games too.

When it came to tourism, Marlborough Councilor Ed Clancy said the city would be interested in hosting athletes in its hotels, but transportation to venues would be a major issue.

The city has almost 1,500 hotel rooms, but no commuter rail access. He said athletes and tourists would have to be shuttled to other communities where there is rail service.

Framingham and Natick both have hotels/motels and commuter rail stations.

“MetroWest needs to be a part of this Olympic conversation,” said Spilka.

Avid cyclist Ed Kross said the Olympic games could provide an “incentive to get the public to adopt a more active lifestyle.”

Maybe it will “inspire people to get off their couches and out of their cars,” said the Framingham resident.

Kross told organizers that he would love the idea of a velodrome in the Commonwealth, that could be used by cyclists after both the Olympics and Paralympics were completed.

So what are the next steps?

Community meetings will continue to be held throughout the Commonwealth this summer.

In January 2016, Boston 2024 committee would need to submit its official bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

In November 2016, a binding referendum will appear on the state’s ballot.

In September 2017, the IOC will vote on which city will be awarded the 2024 games.

MetroWest residents may still be involved in the process by attending other community forums or joining the more than 70,000 volunteers who have already contacted the Boston 2024 group.

Have questions?

Check out a FAQ about the process and the possibility of the Olympics in Boston.