San Diego, Tijuana Bid for Summer Olympics

Filner asks Romney to help with bi-national task

San Diego may join forces with Tijuana to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, according to the mayor’s office.

The bordering cities are in a top 10 list of cities under consideration, said Mayor Bob Filner.

Filner and Tijuana Mayor Carlos Bustamante said they are working together for the potential bi-national event. They will soon name a committee next week to lead the effort.

“I am very serious about this proposal and clearly the U.S. Olympic Committee is paying attention,” said Mayor Bob Filner in a statement. 

Earlier this year, the committee sent a letter to Filner to see if the city would be interested in hosting. San Diego also is also home to the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center in South Bay.

The host city will not be selected till 2017. 

Filner says he wants Mitt Romney to lead a bid to bring the Olympic Games to the city and its Mexican neighbor, Tijuana. Filner says Saturday that he plans to ask the former presidential nominee to be honorary chairman of the bid for the 2024 Summer Games.

Filner, a Democrat, says the Republican Romney will give instant credibility to the effort. Romney oversaw the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He also owns a house in San Diego's wealthy La Jolla coastal area. Romney is a board member of Marriott International, Inc.

A message to Marriott seeking comment from Romney wasn't immediately returned. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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