By James Crook

New IOC member Larry Probst has warned that only a few cities in the United States are capable of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in 2024September 11 - United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chairman and newly-appointed International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Larry Probst has claimed that few cities in the nation would be capable of successfully hosting the Games in 2024 should the USOC decide to lodge a bid next year.

The USOC distributed letters to 35 cities across the United States earlier this year to garner interest in a potential bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Washington DC, Philadelphia, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego have so far been mooted.

But Probst believes that there are a limited number of cities in the nation that would be capable of ensuring a successful Games in 2024.

"I think it's got to be a city that is compelling to people around the world, that resonates with all of the IOC membership," said Probst, who was sworn in as the fourth American member of the IOC yesterday.

"That's not a long list of cities, realistically.

"First step is we have to decide that we are going to move forward and we have to go through a process of which city gives us the best chance."

The USA last hosted the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996The United States last hosted the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996

The US last hosted the Summer Games in 1996 in Atlanta, and look likely to face stern competition to bring them back in 2024 from the likes of Doha, Paris, Rome, and numerous other interested parties from around the world.

Failed bids from New York and Chicago for the 2012 and 2016 Games respectively have given the USOC food for thought as they line up another bid to bring the Games back to the States for the first time since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

"If we decide to move forward, we will start putting together specific steps and a specific timetable to engage with the various cities that might be interested and keep moving forward from there," said Probst.

The Electronic Arts chairman gained his place on the IOC after winning a vote by a margin of 71-20, giving the US a further boost after another of their delegates, Anita DeFrantz, was elected to the IOC's ruling Executive Board.

"Having another member in the Olympic family, in the IOC, and having Anita on the executive board, I think it's a big deal and it's good news for the USOC and the United States," Probst said.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2013: Washington DC forms 2024 Olympic Bid Committee