Release via US Olympic Committee

Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., were today identified by the United States Olympic Committee as candidates for a potential U.S. bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"We're extremely pleased with the level of interest U.S. cities have shown in hosting the Games, said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "Boston, LA, San Francisco and Washington have each given us reason to believe they can deliver a compelling and successful bid, and we look forward to continuing to explore the possibilities as we consider 2024."

"We would like to express our gratitude to the cities of Dallas and San Diego, which will not be moving forward in the bid process," said USOC Chairman Larry Probst. "Dallas had a great bid and matching leadership, along with a well-established sporting community. We have no doubt about the ability of Dallas to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and look forward to working with them in the future to enhance the international awareness of the city. Also, we very much appreciate the high-quality proposal from San Diego, a city that truly embraces sport and has a long history of supporting Team USA. Both of these world-class cities are committed to working with the USOC to enhance the Olympic Movement in the United States."

The decision came after a 16-month process that began with the USOC reaching out to approximately 35 U.S. cities to gauge interest in a bid. USOC leaders then spent the last six months focusing on discussions with a smaller group of interested cities that met the initial requirements of hosting the world's largest sporting event.

"Simplifying the domestic bid process has been a major priority for us," said Blackmun. "We were able to have exploratory conversations with a greater number of cities while avoiding unnecessary costs. We're hopeful that through this new process, we can be successful in hosting the Games on U.S. soil, and in turn, have our nation and the world be inspired once again by all of the positive aspects that are truly unique to the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

From here, the USOC will continue in-depth discussions with each of the cities. In early December, the International Olympic Committee Extraordinary Session will take place, during which time the Olympic Agenda 2020, which will shape the future of the Olympic Movement, will be finalized. Following that meeting -- likely in early 2015 -- the USOC will make a decision on whether or not to bid, and will select a city if a bid is pursued.

The IOC deadline for 2024 bid submissions will likely be in 2015, while the selection of a host city will be made in 2017.

The U.S. has not hosted the summer edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games since 1996 (Atlanta). St. Louis hosted in 1904 and Los Angeles held the Games in both 1932 and 1984.