Kazakh Government Announces 2022 Funding Plan

(ATR) The government of Kazakhstan will fund one-third of the 2022 Olympics.

Reports in Kazakh media say that the sports ministry said on Saturday that advertising and sponsorship will contribute the vast majority of the 2022 Games’ budget.

"We also want to stick to the mixed model of financial management, in which the share of state involvement would be 33 percent and the rest will be raised by investors," Vice Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan Tastanbekov Yesentai said.

"In that case, we will be able to hold the Olympics in 2022 at a proper level."

Beijing is the other candidate city for the 2022 Games.

The IOC will vote on a city at its Session in Kuala Lumpur next year.

Boston Meets Lawmakers

Commonwealth legislators are taking to Boston’s Olympic aspirations.

Boston 2024 bid committee officials met with legislators on Friday—the first such meeting for the bid.

"I went in skeptical, and came out optimistic," Nick Collins, the state representative who chairs the Boston legislative delegation, was quoted as saying by The Boston Globe.

"If other cities around the world can pull this off, why can’t we?"

Initial details about the Games were offered: including a $4.5-billion price tag.

Dan O’Connell, who leads the Boston 2024 committee said the venues "are either temporary or will continue to be used by universities."

Boston was one of four cities shortlisted by the U.S. Olympic Committee for a possible 2024 bid. Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C. are the others. January is the earliest the USOC would decide to bid.

The IOC will select a 2024 host at its Session in 2017.

Multiple countries have expressed interest in bidding for those Games, including: France, Italy, Qatar, South Africa and others.

Written by Ed Hula III

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