Hungary submits official bid to host 2024 Olympics

BUDAPEST - Hungary beat the Wednesday midnight deadline for a detailed submission by submitting a 69-page document of its concept for holding the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the International Olympic Committee on Tuesday, Hungarian News Agency MTI reported.

The document was signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest mayor Istvan Tarlos, Hungarian Olympic Committee President Zsolt Borkai, and Budapest Bid Committee chair Balazs Furjes.

The document includes Hungary's vision and game concept, venue concept, location planning, ensurance of safety and security, and its financing analysis and strategy among other details.

The Olympic Village will be located on the banks of the Danube, within 10 kilometers of 23 sports venues. It will be part of an "Olympic Park Cluster" that will include six sport venues and the stadium where opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletic events, will take place.

An aquatics center currently being renovated for the 2017 FINA World Championships on Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube will be used for water events, while an outdoor stadium already on the island will also be put to use.

Two Budapest city parks will also become event venues, as will Budapest's soccer stadiums and attached facilities.

The aim is to rely on existing facilities whenever possible in conformity with the Agenda 2020 reform platform, and to consider temporary facilities when necessary.

Several venues will be outside of Budapest with Lake Balaton included for the sailing and marathon swimming events.

The city of Szeged in SE Hungary has hosted multiple Canoe World Championships and is proposed as a venue for rowing and canoe-kayak competitions. Other venues being considered include Debrecen in the east, Gyor in the west, and Miskolc in the north.

Plans include upgrading rail lines to include new suburban stops, and adding extra lanes to motorway sections.

Budapest 2024 proposes the 2024 Olympic Games commence with the opening ceremony on July 19 and conclude with the closing ceremony on August 4. The dates proposed for the Paralympic Games are August 21 through to September 1.

Furjes, who is in charge of the bid, explained that accommodation plans would have to include signed contracts by the Stage 2 bid due in the fall.

The other cities bidding for the 2024 games are Paris, Rome, and Los Angeles. The IOC will make its decision in September 2017.