S.F. tomorrow "will be one of four cities making initial pitches" to USOC officials "to become this country's candidate" for the '24 Games, according to Almond & Emmons of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. S.F. "is competing against" Boston, L.A. and DC. S.F.'s "heart has been broken in three previous attempts" -- '96, '12 and '16 -- to secure the Games. But MLB Giants President & CEO Larry Baer, who is leading the bid committee, said that "this time is different." Baer: "Our day has come. Our economy is booming right now. We're a vibrant place that's changing the world. It's a long journey. But we've got a good shot at this." He added that one lesson which has been learned from the past is "the importance of presenting a regional proposal." Almond & Emmons note the Bay Area's "sprawling communities with distinct identities were unable to show the unified front necessary to secure" the '16 Games, but "signs of provincialism already are surfacing." Incoming San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo "is not shy about reminding everyone which city has the Bay Area's largest population and is at the center of Silicon Valley." Baer, however, "is not concerned." He said, "We're talking to all the mayors. Everyone is really excited because there's going to be something for everyone. This really is going to connect the entire Bay Area." S.F.'s "preliminary plans seem to align with the new IOC mandate to limit costs." It "would revolve around" a $340M recyclable Olympic stadium in Brisbane, south of the city. An athlete's village "is proposed for Hunter's Point and later would be converted into affordable housing." The bid "also identifies facilities such as Levi's Stadium, SAP Center, Avaya Stadium ... as well as the Cal and Stanford campuses as venues" (
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 12/13).
