City Is On Shortlist of U.S. Cities for 2024 Olympics- Selection Would be Major Economic Boost for City, Region
Mayor Nutter Says City is Willing to Host Bid
Washington DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Larry Probst, encouraging him to choose Philadelphia as a potential site for the 2024 Olympics. Recently, the U.S. Olympic Committee talked to 30 cities, including Philadelphia, to gauge interest on hosting the games. Mayor Michael Nutter said the city would, in fact, be eager to host the Olympic games. Having the 2024 Olympic games in Philadelphia would provide a major economic boost for the city and the entire region.
“Philadelphia is a world-class city that would be an ideal fit for the 2024 Olympic games,” Senator Casey said. “Playing the Olympic games in Philadelphia would have a major impact on job creation and economic growth in Southeastern Pennsylvania and across the state.”
Philadelphia is uniquely situated to host the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024. The City of Philadelphia is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States and the surrounding Delaware Valley region comprises the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the country. Aside from its sheer size, Philadelphia played a unique and central role in the birth of our nation, has successfully hosted world-class events in the past, and features the facility and infrastructure foundations needed to host the Olympic games.
Philadelphia and the Commonwealth would greatly benefit from the economic impact attributed to holding an event of this magnitude. The full text of Senator Casey’s letter is below.
May 14, 2013
Mr. Larry F. Probst, III
Chairman of the Board
U.S. Olympic Committee
Dear Mr. Probst:
As you know, earlier this year the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) contacted over 30 U.S. cities that it feels could host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2024. I understand that Philadelphia was one of those cities and that Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter recently sent a letter to the USOC expressing the City's interest in bidding to host those Olympic games. The purpose of this letter is to urge the USOC to give all due consideration to this request.
I believe that Philadelphia is uniquely situated to host the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024. The City of Philadelphia is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States and the surrounding Delaware Valley region comprises the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the country. Aside from its sheer size, Philadelphia played a unique and central role in the birth of our nation, has successfully hosted world-class events in the past, and features the facility and infrastructure foundations needed to host the Olympic games.
Further, Philadelphia boasts a fine athletic tradition and plays host to several annual world-class athletic events including the Dad Vail Regatta, the largest intercollegiate rowing event in the U.S., and the Penn Relays, the largest early-season track and field meet in the country. The region is also home to eight professional sports teams and a significant number of collegiate athletic programs. For all of these reasons, I want to express my support for Philadelphia's efforts to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
Thank you in advance for the consideration of my views.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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