Boston explores 2024 Olympic bid

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BOSTON, March 5 (UPI) -- A private group in Boston said it has begun organizing an effort to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to the city.

The Boston Olympic Exploratory Committee hopes to win Mayor Thomas M. Merino's endorsement of its cause, and committee Chairman Eric Reddy said conversations Monday with public officials were promising.

Two weeks ago, the U.S. Olympic Committee solicited bids from 35 cities, including Boston, to find an American candidate for the games, and the positive report from the Monday meetings suggests the city may give the idea serious consideration, The Boston Globe reported Tuesday.

Reddy said his group seeks "a green light to pursue this for, say, five months, and see how far we get." He stressed the group was "trying to be quiet about this," choosing not to over-promote an effort in its early stages.

The U.S. Olympic Committee, in its letter, noted the 2024 host city must be prepared with a reliable transit system and accommodations for 16,500 athletes and 15,000 media members, as well as 45,000 hotel rooms.

The newspaper pointed out Greater Boston has only 30,000 hotel rooms and a cash-strapped subway system with some cars more than 40 years old.