San Francisco makes 2016 summer Olympics host city short list

By Jason Bennert, Bay City News Service

July 26, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco remains in the running to be the American city bidding to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The U.S. Olympic Committee today announced narrowing the field from five to three cities, eliminating Houston and Philadelphia to leave Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

A U.S. Olympic Committee delegation visited San Francisco on May 18, meeting with Mayor Gavin Newsom and other officials. The committee has made clear that it will not submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee unless it can be competitive at that level.

"Based upon the initial plans submitted by Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, the potential for a very competitive, high quality international bid exists in each city,'' USOC Vice President Bob Ctvrtlik said in a statement today. "All three offer the potential for a dramatic Olympic legacy.''

The committee expects to decide by the end of this year if it will move forward with an international bid.

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