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US Won't Bid on 2020 Olympics

Economic climate, lingering revenue dispute prevent bid

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 22, 2011 1:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – The 2020 Summer Olympics may be nine years away, but one thing's for sure: They won’t be happening here. The US Olympic Committee won’t seek to host the Games in any American city, an official tells the Chicago Tribune. The USOC has long been at odds with the International Olympic Committee over revenue-sharing issues; the American organization promised not to bid on 2020 until the matter was settled—which it isn’t.

Had it been resolved, the USOC would have had to rush its bid ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline. What's more, cities would likely be reluctant to host amid economic uncertainty. (Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Tulsa, Minneapolis, Dallas, and Las Vegas were reportedly potential bid cities.) "We don't want to submit a bid that is less than world-class,” said the committee head.

Scott Blackmun, CEO of the US Olympic Committee, at the United States Olympic Training Center. (AP Photo/ Ed Andrieski)

This Oct. 2, 2009, file photo shows Chicago 2016 supporter Patti Nugent reacting after the announcement that Chicago was eliminated as a possible host city for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

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US Won't Bid on 2020 Olympics

Economic climate, lingering revenue dispute prevent bid

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