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Two US teams remain competing to host 2016 Olympics

San Francisco dropped out on Monday from the race to host the 2016 Olympics on behalf of the United States of America. The only two American cities competing for the US ticket are Chicago and Los Angeles. Los Angeles is the main beneficiary of this development, as it is the only city from California competing for the privilege, thus able to sell their campaign as a California-wide bid, and enjoy full support from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

San Francisco`s football team, the 49ers, announced last week that they will stop negotiations that were being held with the city for building a new stadium at Candlestick Point. Not only would they not rebuild the stadium that will then be able to host the Olympics and which was in essence the signature piece on the city`s bid, but they intend on moving south to Santa Clara.

The US Olympic Committee has yet to decide whether to pursue a bid for the 2016 games, and is expected to reach a decision by the end of this year. Then, by mid-April, the USOC will choose between the finalists Chicago and Los Angeles. San Francisco taxpayers are still not entirely off the hook, as they might end up helping the local football team build a new stadium in the city.