While Houston and Philadelphia have been eliminated from the running, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco have been named the top three contenders to host the 2016 Summer Olympics – should the U.S. submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee to host the games, a decision that will be made in early 2007.
As part of the evaluation process, a delegation from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) traveled to each of the five cities, met with their respective mayors and other city representatives, discusssed plans, venues, economic benefits, and timing.
The next phase will include four significant components, including a questionnaire, development of “bid books”, a USOC report, and a presentation made by each city.
By the end of this year, the U.S. Olympic Committee will decide whether or not to move forward with an international bid for the 2016 Olympics. Other cities that are considering hosting the Olympics include Rome, Milan, Madrid, Hambur, Tokyo and Fukuoka. The host city will be chosen in 2009.