The U.S. is one of at least five countries that has "filed preliminary paperwork required by the IOC ahead of any potential bids for the 2020 Olympics," according to Stephen Wilson of the AP. Italy, Japan, Spain and South Africa also "sent their forms," while Turkey and Qatar "are believed to have done so" but would not offer a confirmation. The compliance forms "are a new IOC requirement ahead of the formal bid process." The deadline to submit the forms was Saturday, and the USOC has "until Sept. 1 to submit the names of any 2020 applicant cities to the IOC." However, the possibility of a U.S. bid "remains uncertain," as the organization "reiterated that it would not consider a bid unless and until it finishes a new revenue-sharing deal with the IOC" (AP, 8/1). In Chicago, Philip Hersh reports the USOC left "blank" the applicant city on the IOC form. USOC Chief Communications Officer Patrick Sandusky yesterday said, "At this point our focus is on completing our financial deal with the IOC, and we are not currently considering a 2020 bid." But Hersh notes “should it be resolved before the next USOC board meeting in late August, the idea of a 2020 bid could get board approval in time to meet the IOC deadline.” Rome, Tokyo and Madrid “have announced they are bidding for 2020.” Istanbul “also is expected to bid” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/2).
