Los Angeles launches 2016 Games bid

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Los Angeles, which has twice hosted
the Olympics, launched on Wednesday a bid to host the Summer
Games in 2016.

“We want the USOC (U.S. Olympic Committee) to know we are
eager to bring the Games back to Los Angeles,” Barry Sanders,
chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic
Games, told a news conference.

“We will pursue this with an Olympic determination to
succeed.”

Los Angeles, which hosted the Summer Games in 1932 and
1984, is the first U.S. city to formally enter the race for
2016. Chicago, San Francisco and Washington are also thought to
be considering bidding.

Sanders said Los Angeles was confident of again being able
to host the Olympics with no cost to local taxpayers. “We also
promise a bid that will be distinctive in its approach compared
to previous Games,” he said.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa threw his weight behind the bid,
saying he was “enthusiastic about this opportunity.”

Los Angeles is the only American city to host the Olympics
more than once. Atlanta in 1996 was the last U.S. venue chosen
for the Summer Games.

The USOC is expected to pick the American 2016 bid city by
2007 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially
opens the bid process. The IOC will make its choice in 2009.