Candidature files from Paris, Rome, Los Angeles and Budapest to host the 2024 Olympic Games were all delivered on schedule, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed on Wednesday. The new Candidature Process encourages the cities to present projects which match their sports, economic, social and environmental long-term regional planning needs. This is part of the ‘Olympic 2020 Agenda’ which also insists on the use of existing facilities and provides flexibility for the venues to meet local sustainability and legacy needs. A delighted IOC President Thomas Bach, confirming the four candidates, was clearly impressed with a first look at the bids on Wednesday and said he was looking forward to a fascinating competition. “Los Angeles, Rome, Budapest and Paris are all submitting projects fully in line with Olympic Agenda 2020,” he said.

“It is impressive to see how they have incorporated the Olympic project into the long-term development plans of their city, region and country. Coming from different starting points, for all four there is a clear focus on sustainable development, legacy and in particular how the facilities are going to be used after the Olympic Games.” The candidate files under the new procedure are delivered in three phases and the IOC will confirm (or not) the cities passing their criteria at that stage. Wednesday’s first instalment deals with global vision, Games concept and strategy. These will now be studied by IOC working groups who will deliver reports by June. Phase two propositions dealing with governance, legal matters and venue funding are due by October 7. The final dossiers on Games delivery, experience and venue legacy are not due until February 3, 2017.
Source :AFP