Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It could not bid to host a Winter Olympics because it has no winter season, so the Philippines is going for the Summer Olympics in 2024. It joins an elite group of developed countries and cities that have set their eyes on the next available open spot for Olympic host.
The Philippines’ announcement came on the heels of Tuesday’s meeting of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) during which four U.S. cities presented their bids to be the official U.S. city that would bid for the 2024 Olympics: San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Los Angeles. The USOC is expected to make its selection in January.
Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino, in making the announcement about his country’s intention to bid, said that it would be his greatest legacy and accomplishment if the Philippines were chosen as host of the 2024 Olympics.
“It will be a multi-city effort,” Aquino said, “with world-class sports venues already built and located in various parts of Metro Manila, including Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila, the Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, and the new Philippine Arena in Bulacan.” Aquino added that Makati City will provide facilities for an upscale Olympic Village to host the athletes of the world.
“We just need to work on the mass transit network to make it easy for both athletes and spectators to travel from one venue to another,” Aquino added.
The Philippine Olympic Committee is currently preparing its presentation to the International Olympic Committee when it formally opens the bidding process. In addition to the U.S., other countries that have expressed intention to bid to host the Olympics include Germany, Japan, Argentina, Paris and Rome.
Aquino even revealed the elaborate plan for an Olympic Opening Ceremony featuring the prison inmates from Cebu City whose Michael Jackson dance videos have become one of the most viewed dance videos on YouTube.