U.S. Olympic leaders expected to discuss Los Angeles bid for 2024 Games

The U.S. Olympic Committee’s board of directors will convene today for a meeting that is expected to focus on Los Angeles’ desire to bid for the 2024 Summer Games.

USOC leaders are scheduled to address the media afterward, but did not anticipate making any final decisions at the Denver International Airport meeting.

Earlier this week, Mayor Eric Garcetti told The Los Angeles Times’ editorial board that the city is pushing to be the American candidate and could stage the Games for a projected $4.1 billion.

Los Angeles expects to generate a $150 million surplus by way of broadcast and sponsorship revenues, but will guarantee to cover any cost overruns, Garcetti said.

The Olympics have a history of such overruns. Russian officials recently spent a reported $51 billion to stage the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

For 2024, the USOC originally chose Boston as the American bidder. The Massachusetts capital dropped out last month amid widespread concerns about taxpayer dollars being used to pay for the Games.

That opened the door for Los Angeles, a two-time Olympic host that has proposed to spend less than $1.5 billion on venues, making use of existing sports facilities in the area.

The USOC is expected to make a decision in the coming days.