GENEVA (AP) – Los Angeles and Paris, both already seen as winning options for the 2024 Games, await their Olympic inspectors this week.
The cities will host three-day visits by an International Olympic Committee panel, whose chairman has no doubt about their hosting credentials.
“I think today at least you can already say, either way, we will have fantastic Olympic Games,” IOC evaluation commission chairman Patrick Baumann told The Associated Press.
IOC President Thomas Bach seems so sure of the candidates’ qualities that he asked his four vice presidents for advice on also bringing the 2028 Olympics into play, rewarding both cities with hosting duties. That guidance is due in July, so Baumann’s 13-member group will press on with scheduled work in Los Angeles starting Wednesday, then in Paris from Sunday. Each visit ends with Baumann taking questions at a news conference.
“There is no change in the scope and the role and the mandate,” Baumann said of the possible dual award affecting his eventual report to IOC members.