Chicago, whose bid for the 2016 Olympics was generally considered to be among the strongest technically, were eliminated in the first round of voting at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Copenhagen four years ago as the Games were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

The defeat was considered particularly embarrassing because US President Barack Obama had flown in specially to the Danish capital to lobby on behalf of Chicago, his home city.

The defeat persuaded the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to sit out the campaign for 2020 but earlier this week they sent a letter to 35 cities across America trying to gauge interest in 2024.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel dismissed immediately the idea that they would run again. 

"Our position remains the same – we are not bidding," Sarah Hamilton, his spokesman, said. 

San Jose was another city to rule themselves them - claiming it was too expensive - but Florida cities Miami and Jacksonsville claimed they were both weighing up the idea following the letter. 


Miami has already begun seriously investigating whether they should launch a bid, Commisioner Jose Diaz has revealed.

"The Olympics is a very expensive endeavor, but we would be partners with the USOC," Diaz said.