Mayor calls criticism over him not reading every Olympic doc 'silly'

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called criticism about his not reading every Olympic document, "silly," or does Boston2024 have a credibility problem?

More questions about the Boston 2024 bid documents were raised Wednesday, and some are wondering who has read through all of the documents. The mayor admitted that he did not read it cover to cover.

Our Political Reporter Sharman Sacchetti caught up with the mayor and Boston2024 to get answers. It comes as new poll numbers show just 39-percent of statewide voters support the bid, but Walsh told Sacchetti that criticism should be saved for what's coming up in June and it's a plan that he says is rooted in actual reality.

Just weeks out from Boston2024 unveiling a brand new Olympic bid, Walsh said it's true he didn't read the first bid book before he signed it.

"As far as every single word in the book, I didn't see every single word in the book. I saw enough to ensure the safety of the City of Boston," he told Sacchetti.

When asked if his lawyers reviewed it, he said "they saw documents. They saw attachments. They saw all, most of what was in the bid book."

Indeed the mayor told Sacchetti that the bid book from months ago was mainly a concept.

He calls criticism of it "silly."

"People are getting kinda silly with what's happening with the Olympic conversation," he said.

The mayor says what's coming out by June 30 from Boston2024 will be much more in line with reality.

But those initial bid book documents, the ones previously kept from the public, showed hundreds of millions in taxpayer funding would be needed.

"I think in the bid documents, Sharman, what you saw was an idea to use city bonds to backstop the legacy, not the stadium itself. But what would survive," said Rich Davey, CEO of Boston2024.

Boston 2024 maintains this will be a completely private venture moving forward, with tax money only going toward infrastructure and security.

When asked why anyone should take Boston2024 at face value, and if the group had deceived the public, Davey responded "we haven't been. It's a very complicated financial transaction that was suggested."

He denied the group had a credibility problem, adding "we clearly have to get the message out."

So in just a couple of weeks Boston2024 says we'll learn more about new venues, cities outside Boston that are involved, and details about financing. So how will the group turn around flagging support? Boston2024 says the "USOC is locked arm in arm with us, they continue to believe in our bid."

Cox Media Group