San Diego no longer under consideration for 2024 Olympics

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – San Diego is no longer in contention to host the 2024 summer games, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Friday.

Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., remain in the running, according to the USOC, which eliminated bids by San Diego as well as Dallas.

“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.

Probst said USOC officials “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,” adding that both of the eliminated “world-class cities are committed to working with the USOC to enhance the Olympic movement in the United States.”

USOC maintains a training center in Chula Vista.

The International Olympic Committee will accept bids for the 2024 games next year, with a decision expected in 2017.

“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.”

The U.S. hasn’t served as an Olympic host since the Salt Lake City winter games a dozen years ago. The last summer games in this country were in 1996 in Atlanta.

San Diego based its bid on the region’s beauty and climate, and also touted a innovative economy, diverse population, tourism infrastructure and location on the Pacific Rim. Bid organizers noted that San Diego has hosted Super Bowls, the World Series and an “iconic” U.S. Open golf tournament.