Tulsa's Bid To Host 2020 Olympics Officially Ended

Joshua Brakhage, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The bid to bring the Olympic Games to Tulsa in 2020 is off the table.

The United States Olympic Committee announced it won't put its weight behind Tulsa's bid, or any other for that matter, for the games in 2020.

The United States is still getting over the embarrassment of finishing last among the finalists for the 2016 games.  The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro.  Chicago's bid finished fourth out of four finalists.

The United States last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996 in Atlanta.  The country's next opportunity to bid for summer games will be to host the 2024 Olympics, which won't be awarded for another six years.

A committee of Tulsa businessmen first launched their effort to win the games in 2009.  To accommodate athletes and fans, organizers planned to use university facilities as competition sites and dock cruise ships at the Port of Catoosa to provide hotel space.

Earlier this month, the city of Tulsa tabled a plan to build the 2020 Olympic Stadium on the west bank of the Arkansas River.

8/25/2010:  Related Story:  Tulsa Moves Hopes Of Hosting Olympics From 2020 To 2024