Love it or hate it, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is pushing for Washington, D.C. to be the U.S. candidate city for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The District is running against three other choices that include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston. The U.S. Olympic Committee will make their final choice on Thursday. According to CBS San Francisco, Washington, D.C. has the lowest chances of getting the bid. Out of the four choices, Los Angeles reportedly has the highest odds with a 1:1 chance against Washington's 7:1.

In a recent article by CityLab, though, it reported that it would be beneficial for Washington to get the bid because if it does, "it would be forced to make crucial improvements." These improvements include a new Washington Redskins stadium, improvements to the Metro system, and commitments to affordable housing. Not everyone feels like the bid would be such a good thing for the District, though. On Wednesday, a Change.org petition was started, asking the D.C. Council to "[stand] against the displacement, militarization, and plundering of our city that would come with hosting the Olympic Games." With roughly 100 signatures on Thursday, some of the key points on the petition included there be assurance that any public money used for the Olympics is put to a public referendum and that all companies doing work for the Olympics bid be taxed so those funds can go towards the Affordable Housing fund.

Planning has been in the works for the past few months to figure out where the 28 events for the Olympics would be hosted with an Olympic Stadium planned at 2400 East Capitol St SE, the current location of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The operations budget for the Olympic Games to come to Washington would range from $4 billion to $5 billion.



· Vegas Odds Makers: Los Angeles, Boston Have Better Shot Than San Francisco To Host 2024 Olympics [CBS]

· Petition Urges D.C. Council to Protect District From Olympics [Hill Now]

· Why D.C. Better Hope It Wins the U.S. Olympic Bid [CityLab]

· Plans for the Olympics in Washington, D.C. Take Flight [Curbed DC]