Los Angeles, which has twice hosted the Olympics, launched on Wednesday a bid to host the Summer Games in 2016.

"We want the USOC (US Olympic Committee) to know we are eager to bring the Games back to Los Angeles," Barry Sanders, chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, told a news conference.

Los Angeles, which hosted the Summer Games in 1932 and 1984, is the first US city to formally enter the race for 2016. Chicago, San Francisco and Washington are also thought to be considering bidding.

Los Angeles is the only American city to host the Olympics more than once. Atlanta in 1996 was the last US venue chosen for the Summer Games.

The USOC is expected to pick the American 2016 bid city by 2007 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially opens the bid process. The IOC will make its choice in 2009.

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