By Duncan Mackay

A field of 24,000 takes part in the annual Los Angeles MarathonSeptember 26 - Los Angeles is hoping to give its proposed bid to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics a boost by staging the United States marathon trials for Rio 2016.


Civic and business leaders are getting ready to roll out the red carpet for USA Track & Field (USATF) officials, who will soon select the host city for the 2016 American Olympic marathon trials.

Los Angeles is one of three cites shortlisted to host the event, along with Cincinnati and Houston. 

City officials in the Californian city believe that staging the Olympic marathon Trials just a year before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is due to pick the host for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics would be the ideal opportunity to showcase their bid.

That, of course, depends on them getting the nomination from the United States Olympic Committee, a decision on which is due next year. 

If they succeeded, Los Angeles would be the second city after London to host the Olympics three times.

"Our city has a rich and vibrant Olympic history, having hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

"The legacy of the 1984 Games lives on today, and our great city is ready to show the nation that our Olympic spirit continues to thrive."

Three-time Olympian Deena Kastor, who grew up in Southern California and won the bronze medal in the marathon at Athens 2004 claimed Los Angeles is the perfect place to host the trials, given its rich history in the event.

"In 1984, when Joan Benoit won the first women's Olympic marathon here in Los Angeles, she inspired a generation of runners including myself," said Kastor, who competed in the 2013 Los Angeles Marathon.

"This city really welcomed me and the other runners at this year's marathon and I am confident LA would put on a great event for the 2016 Olympic marathon trials."

American Joan Benoit won the inaugural Olympic women's marathon at Los Angeles in 1984American Joan Benoit won the inaugural Olympic women's marathon at Los Angeles in 1984

USATF officials are due to meet with elected officials, business and civic leaders in Los Angeles next Monday and Tuesday (September 30 and October 1) as part of the site selection process.

They will view potential course options, and will talk to marathon officials about the logistics of the event, which would see the top three finishers in both the men's and women's races represent the US at Rio 2016. 

The Olympic Trials effort is being spearheaded by officials with the ASICS LA Marathon, which would host the event in March 2016, the day before the mass event, which attracts a sell-out field of 24,000.

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