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Kuala Lumpur, July 29 (IANS)
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said here on Wednesday that he is not worried that the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) withdrew Boston from the 2024 Olympic bid in order to pursue another potential American city.
"We're not concerned at all because for us the situation has not changed," Bach said following the second day of the IOC executive board meeting, reports Xinhua.
"We had a commitment from the USOC for an Olympic candidature for 2024. We're sure the USOC will deliver on this commitment and we will have on September 15 a bid from the United States."
Boston mayor Marty Walsh initially endorsed his city's support for the bid but when pressed on Monday by the USOC, he said he could not make guarantees that would put taxpayers at risk.
"Boston obviously did not deliver on the promises they made to the USOC when they were selected. We can understand the decision by the USOC and we are looking forward to an American bid with another city," said Bach.
Los Angeles is seen as the most likely choice to replace Boston due to existing venues, experience and proven record.
"I have no reason to doubt this commitment by the USOC. It is now an internal issue for them to determine the most appropriate city. It is not up to the IOC to give unsolicited advice on this. We want to send athletes only to cities where they are welcome," said the IOC chief.
On Tuesday, the IOC executive board decided to reduce the cost of service fees that are charged to cities that bid for the Olympics. Prices for the 2024 bid were initially set at $650,000 but were reduced to only $250,000 that is payable in three instalments -- two at $50,000 and a final payment of $150,000.
Paris, Rome, Hamburg and Budapest are already in the race while Baku and Toronto are mulling the possibility. Now the US will have to either choose a replacement or decide not to bid altogether. The winning city will be chosen in the summer of 2017.
