IOC Opens Historic Debate

(ATR) The IOC has launched its extraordinary session in Lausanne where it will decide whether to change its rules to select hosts for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics at the same time.

With Paris and Los Angeles the only candidates, both highly rated by the IOC Evaluation Commission, IOC President Thomas Bach told members they have a great opportunity to select both. In his remarks to the Session in Lausanne, Bach acknowledged the rise of populist movements around the world has made it difficult to attract quality bids.

He described the current process of bidding for the Games "onerous", saying too much is being asked of bid cities too early in the campaign for the Games.

Bach urged the IOC to act, saying it enjoys a position of strength, citing its $3.2 billion in assets.

Members will debate whether to make the rules change through the afternoon at the Swiss Tech Center in Lausanne. The debate follows presentations in the morning from Los Angeles and Paris that covered the technical aspects of the bid.

The members will also be asked to consider changes to the bidding process for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

French President Emmanuel Macron led the Paris group, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti the U.S. team.

And while he wasn’t present in person, U.S. President Donald Trump weighed-in by Twitter to give a boost to the Los Angeles bid.

Working hard to get the Olympics for the United States (L.A.). Stay tuned!

Written by Ed Hula.

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