Earlier this year, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) selected Boston as their choice to be considered as host of the 2024 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee will select the host city in September 2017.
The city of Boston and the Boston 2024 Organizing Committee will hold a series of public meetings to give residents from around the city an opportunity to “discuss the benefits of hosting the Games and impact on the City.”
The following Boston University experts are available to comment on a Boston Olympics:
Infrastructure
Terrance Regan, an adjunct professor of city planning and urban affairs in BU’s Metropolitan College, is an expert in transportation policy, finance, and intelligent transportation systems. He recently spoke with NECN on how to fix the MBTA following disruption of service following recent Boston blizzards. He went into greater detail on this subject in a Q&A with BU Today.
Regan can be reached at 617-353-2000 or tregab@bu.edu.
James O’Connell, a professor of city planning in Metropolitan College, is an expert in city planning, economic development, and urban affairs. In a recent article in BostInno on Boston’s selection, O’Connell said, “Other cities and regions are twisting themselves into contortions to develop the innovation economy and quality of life that Boston has. Boston needs expanded transportation and housing. And the Olympics may be the best way to obtain that.”
O’Connell can be reached at 617-353-6000 or jimyoc@bu.edu.
Virginia Greiman, an assistant professor in BU’s Metropolitan College, is an expert in infrastructure development, mega-project management, privatization and project finance. She served as deputy chief legal counsel and risk manager on Boston’s “Big Dig” road project.
Greiman can be reached at 617-353-3000 or ggreiman@bu.edu.
Hosting an Olympics
Adam Naylor, a clinical psychology professor in BU’s School of Education, is an expert on sports psychology. He recently spoke about the psychological effects of hosting the Olympic Games. “There’s no doubt sports can bring communities together, add excitement and add good feelings. There’s a lot of science to say that when people cheer together, they come together and there’s positive emotions, and some studies have shown that there’s some positive mental health benefits.”
Naylor can be reached at 617-358-6010 or ahnaylor@bu.edu.
Frank Shorr, a senior lecturer in the College of Communication, is an expert in sports broadcasting. He is also the Director of The Sports Institute at Boston University. He recently commented on a major issue facing Boston in hosting the Olympics: “People forget that the city of Boston has a population of about 750,000, and as much as it is a really cosmopolitan city and a city that people flock towards, it’s very small. Getting around and trying to move from place to place is the major hurdle in getting the bid.”
Shorr can be reached at 617-353-5163 or fshorr@bu.edu.
Japonica Brown-Saracino, an associate professor of sociology, is an expert in community, urban, and cultural sociology. Her research includes the exploration of social preservation and gentrification.
Brown-Saracino can be reached at 617-358-6675 or japonica@bu.edu.
Political issues
Tom Whalen is a political and presidential historian. His most recent book is JFK and His Enemies.
Whalen can be reached at 617-353-4785 or tjw64@bu.edu.
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