Boston ends bid for 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Plans for Boston to bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been shelved due to a lack of support.

At a news conference on Monday, mayor Martin Walsh expressed concern that the city's taxpayers could be left to foot the bill should the cost of hosting the multi-sport spectactle overrun.

And, following Walsh's comments, the United States Olympic Committee and Boston 2024 released a joint statement in which they signalled the end of the city's bid.

"Boston 2024 has expressed confidence that, with more time, they could generate the public support necessary to win the bid and deliver a great Games," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "They also recognise, however, that we are out of time if the USOC is going to be able to consider a bid from another city.

"As a result, we have reached a mutual agreement to withdraw Boston"s bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The USOC would very much like to see an American city host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.

"We will immediately begin to explore whether we can do so on a basis consistent with our guiding principles, to which we remain firmly committed.

"We understand the reality of the timeline that is before us. We will brief the media on our progress towards a decision later in August, and we will not have any public statements on the subject of a possible bid until then."