Boston 2024 Olympic Organizers Want Referendum on Public Interest in Hosting

Boston 2024 chairman John Fish has proposed a statewide referendum be placed on voting ballots in 2016 to determine whether the group moves forward with plans to potentially attract the Summer Olympics to Massachusetts' most populated city.

Jon Chesto and John R. Ellement of The Boston Globe report the idea has received support from both Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The group will now attempt to gather the necessary signatures to make next fall's ballot.

"All we ask is an opportunity to have a constructive dialogue with everybody in the Commonwealth … of how these games, the Olympic and Paralympic games, can benefit our community," Fish said.

The chairman also stated that while the plan is to gather the feelings of the entire state, the group would still not move forward if a majority in Boston votes against it.

Curt Nickisch of WBUR reports the latest poll taken by the outlet showed just 36 percent of those asked supported the idea of a Boston Olympics. That's down from 51 percent in January.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Fish is hopeful that being given the opportunity to speak with people about their concerns would reverse the trend of support back in a positive direction, according to The Boston Globe report.

"It's putting everything on the line," Fish said. "[But] I'm not sure we've had the opportunity to address a lot of the concerns people have had."

Getting the referendum on the November 2016 ballot would give the organizers about 20 months to make their case to voters. It would also ensure a final decision can be made in time for Boston 2024 to prepare its final pitch to the International Olympic Committee, if necessary.

The report notes the IOC is expected to choose a host for the 2024 Games in 2017.