L.A. Seeking Third Summer Games

0

Los Angeles on Wednesday notified the U.S. Olympic Committee that it will seek to host the Olympic Games for the third time in 2016.


L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Barry Sanders, chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, made the announcement Wednesday at a press conference at the Amateur Athletic Foundation in L.A.


Los Angeles is the first U.S. city to formally enter the competition to become the USOC’s nominee, though Chicago, San Francisco and Washington are said to be possible contenders. New York, which sought the 2012 bid, is not expected to try again for 2016.


Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984. No other U.S. city has served as host more than once. The last American city to have the Summer Olympics was Atlanta in 1996.


L.A. could be looked upon favorably by the USOC because it has a number of existing facilities, good weather and a model of privately financing the games that will likely produce a surplus. Under the direction of businessman Peter Ueberroth, the 1984 games were privately financed and turned a $232.5-million profit, the Los Angeles Times reported.


Sanders said Wednesday that Los Angeles will be able to host the Olympics without any cost to local taxpayers.


Under International Olympic Committee rules, only one city per country is allowed to bid for the right to host the games, and the USOC is responsible for choosing a U.S. candidate city no later than the summer of 2007. The international committee will make its final selection for a host city in 2009.


“I am enthusiastic about this opportunity, said Villaraigosa in a statement released Wednesday. “Los Angeles is proud of its Olympic history. We hosted two of the most successful Olympic Games ever held. We want to be considered again for this great honor.”

No posts to display