COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—U.S. Olympic leaders repeated Monday that their attention is completely fixed on the quest to bring the 2016 Games to Chicago.
“Let me reiterate that position in the most adamant terms,” CEO Stephanie Streeter said. “Chicago is not only our current bid city, it is our only bid city, and it is the sole focus of our efforts.”
The statement came in the wake of recent reports that Pittsburgh might explore a bid for the 2020 Summer Games—a possibility that would only exist if Chicago failed to land the 2016 Olympics.
Also, the deadline for submitting formal proposals for the 2018 Winter Olympics is in October, and cities such as Denver and Reno, Nev., have been mentioned in the past as possible candidates. Denver leaders have also said 2022 might be more realistic.
The USOC has repeatedly said it would not back 2018 bids. A city has to have the support of its Olympic federation to submit a bid. The USOC became more active in the bid process after confusion hurt New York’s failed bid for the 2012 Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee will choose Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo to host the 2016 Olympics at its meeting in Copenhagen in October.
There are fewer than eight weeks left until the decision is made, and Streeter doesn’t want other cities sharing the spotlight with Chicago.
“So, with all due respect to those cities that are dreaming about one day bidding for the Games, now is not the time,” she said. “This is Chicago’s time. Please join all of us at the USOC in standing with Chicago 2016. Given what they’ve accomplished in projecting the right image for our country, it is clear they have earned our full respect and devotion.”
