(Reuters) - U.S. Olympic officials are eager to see the Winter Games return to the country in 2026 or 2030 even though doing so would create challenges for Los Angeles as it prepares to host the Summer Games in 2028. Leaders of L.A.'s bid committee have said hosting a Winter Games in the years surrounding 2028 could hurt their ability to sell corporate partnerships and infringe on its exclusive rights to use the Olympic rings in its marketing. Probst said there was the possibility the International Olympic Committee (IOC) might award 2026 and 2030 Winter Games simultaneously, as it did this year where Paris won the 2024 Summer Games while L.A. landed the 2028 event. USOC would need to identify a city by next March if it decided to bid for the 2026 Games, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said. Salt Lake City was the last U.S. city to host the Winter Games in 2002 and is expected to be in the running for any future events.

Source: The Star October 14, 2017 00:45 UTC