Marty Walsh

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, right, is presented with a tee shirt by Ralph Cox, an organizer pursuing an Olympics bid, during an event held to generate public interest in a 2024 Olympics+bid for the city of Boston, Monday, Oct. 6, 2014, in Boston. The U.S. Olympic Committee is weighing whether to put in a bid for the 2024 Summer Games. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

(Steven Senne)

BOSTON -- In a stark reversal from comments he has made in the last two months, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh told the Wall Street Journal that he would not block a proposed referendum on whether or not Boston should host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Walsh told the journal that he would "not stand in the way" of a referendum on the games if one was placed on a ballot.

When asked about holding a referendum on the games at the press conference announcing Boston's status as the USOC's official choice, Walsh said there would not be one.

"No referendum,"he said.

Walsh made similar comments to WGBH in December saying, "I don't think necessarily we need a vote on it."

The USOC and IOC are historically weary of putting the will of host city residents to a vote as it can jeopardize or derail an Olympics. An unnamed USOC official told the Wall Street Journal that none of the cities that sought the USOC's blessing hinted that a referendum could occur and that one in Boston could endanger the USOC's selection.

The 1976 Winter Olympics were originally awarded to Denver but were revoked by IOC when voters passed a referendum that added a clause into the state's constitution barring the usage of taxpayer dollars on an Olympics. Similar votes have occurred with western candidate cities aiming to host the 2022 Winter Olympics leaving only authoritarian states like Kazakstan and China in the running to host.

The drastic cost of hosting the games is cited as the main reason cities ultimately bail on wanting to host the games. This shift to primarily authoritarian states like Russia and China bidding to host the games prompted the IOC to unanimously approve a plan known as Agenda 2020 that aims to make the Olympics more affordable for host cities.

Boosters of the Boston 2024 plan argue that the compact nature and already existing athletic facilities make Boston a prime candidate to host the games under the recently approved Agenda 2020.

In a statement from City Hall, Walsh press secretary Bonnie McGilpin said that city residents will back the games after they learn more about it but if voters are unhappy with the games he will not block a referendum on the Summer Olympics.

"The mayor is confident that when the city has the opportunity to engage with the community about all of the benefits of Boston being in the running for the 2024 Olympics, the residents of Boston will be excited for the opportunity to host the world class sporting event. However, at the same time, if after the entire 9 month community process is complete, and the signatures have been collected for a statewide ballot question or citywide referendum, the mayor will not stand in the way of a vote," said McGilpin in an email.

Walsh's communicators director Laura Oggeri reiterated these comments in a separate statement from City Hall sent shortly after McGilpin's email.

"Mayor Walsh is not in support of a referendum on the Olympics. He looks forward to engaging in a robust community process and having a two-way conversation with all neighborhoods as we move forward. Should the public decide to collect signatures for a referendum, that is a right of the people that the mayor fully supports," said Oggeri.

Legally, Walsh does not have the power to block citizens from placing questions on a city or statewide ballot.

No Boston Olympics co-chair Chris Dempsey said in an emailed statement that his group welcomed the comments from Walsh.

"Our goal has always been to help provide a voice to residents and taxpayers that have concerns about the immense costs and risks associated with an Olympic bid. A referendum might be one way to do that. Olympics boosters and opponents both agree that a Games would have a massive impact on our region's future, so we welcome support from Mayor Walsh and other elected leaders for the idea that voters should have a say in whether Boston2024's bid advances," said Dempsey.

USOC spokesman Patrick Sandusky did not directly comment on the referendum in an emailed statement.

"Boston has an exciting vision for the Games. As the public learns more about what the Games could mean for the community, we're confident the bid will have overwhelming support. We look forward to working with Mayor Walsh and the Boston 2024 team to more fully engage the local community and identify ways we can make the bid even better," said Sandusky.

Boston 2024 officials said that they would respond with a statement but at press time MassLive had not received one. MassLive will add the statement to our story when and if we receive it.

A new WBUR/MassINC poll today showed that 75 percent of Greater Boston residents want a referendum on whether or not Boston should host the games. The survey also showed that 51 percent of residents support hosting the games while 33 percent oppose bringing the games to Boston. Only 48 percent of respondents said that they are excited about the prospect of a Boston Olympics.