Boston Mayor Marty Walsh told city employees in an email Thursday that no one will face consequences for sharing their opinions about the city's bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Walsh sent the email after controversy erupted Wednesday over an agreement the city signed with the U.S. Olympic Committee that forbids city employees from criticizing Boston's bid.

The agreement, signed by Mayor Walsh, says city "employees, officers and representatives" are banned from making any comments that "reflect unfavorably" on the USOC, the International Olympic Committee or the city's bid.

A spokesperson for Walsh said Wednesday the mayor was "not looking to limit free speech" and that the agreement contained "standard boilerplate language" that "all applicant cities have historically signed."

In the email to employees Thursday, Walsh reiterated that he "will not — and will never" limit city employees' right to free speech.

"All employees are welcome to share their opinions as we move forward and I hope that you will help the City of Boston in shaping its Olympic proposal," the email said. "I want to emphasize that no employees will face any consequences for contributing their thoughts - positive or negative - and I look forward to hearing from all of you."

Walsh also encouraged city employees to participate in the nine public meetings planned to discuss the bid — the first of which is scheduled for Tuesday at Suffolk Law School.

--Here is the full email sent to all city of Boston employees: