U.S. Olympic officials visit potential bid cities

By David Wharton

Dec. 3, 2013 12 AM PT

With Los Angeles hoping to mount a bid for the 2024 Summer Games, U.S. Olympic officials said Tuesday they are in the process of visiting potential sites around the country.

The number of American cities that have expressed serious interest is less than 10, and the visits are expected to conclude in January.

Los Angeles was visited in the fall.

“It is our intention to bid for 2024,” said Larry Probst, chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee. But, he added: “A lot of things have to fall in place.”

Dallas, Washington, Boston and San Diego are among the potential suitors.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, has said he would like to see an American bid. Probst, recently elected to the IOC, said: “I’ve heard a lot of encouragement from numerous IOC members.”

In the past, the USOC has held a formal -- and expensive -- selection process, with cities spending as much as $10 million during the domestic phase.

This time, U.S. officials are trying to keep things streamlined and cheaper. They expect to gradually narrow the field over the next year and work in partnership with the winning city.

International bidding begins in 2015. The IOC will select a host in 2017.

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