- DOWNLOAD: USOC letter to potential bid cities
The United States has not put forth a bid for a winter or summer Games since Chicago's shocking first round defeat in its bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics under former Mayor Richard Daley. Nonetheless, Chicago along with San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles are still considered potential top US contenders.
A spokesperson for Mayor Rahm Emanuel tells ABC 7 the mayor continues to be opposed to bidding for the Olympics.
Since Chicago's defeat, the US Olympic Committee has overhauled its leadership structure, international relations efforts and bidding process. Those close to the Olympic movement viewed Chicago's loss as a referendum on the USOC's poor standing among International Olympic Committee members at the time and not necessarily a harsh critique of Chicago's plan.
The US Olympic Committee cautioned today's letter is not a sign that America will definitely put forth a 2024 American bid city. "We would like to begin having discussions with interested cities about possible bid themes as well as the infrastructure, financial resources and other assets that are required to host the Games," USOC CEO Scott Blackmun wrote in his letter.