Which U.S. city will bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics?

A successful bid would be the fifth time the Winter Olympics would be held in the United States. A US bid will be influenced by the success or failure of the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid. If Chicago wins the Summer Olympics, the USOC will not bid until the 2022 Winter Olympics.

* Denver, Colorado

Denver was chosen to host the 1976 Winter Olympics, but eventually declined the games, enraging the IOC, and casting doubt over any future bids. However, Denver believes enough time has gone by to try again. Denver's strong history of hosting large sporting events is a big strength of the city. With nearly a dozen world class ski areas within less than a two hour drive of the city and the venues and infrastructure, with Denver International Airport, to support an Olympic games gives Denver a strong bid.

* Reno-Lake Tahoe, Nevada-California

The resort region around Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border has formed the Reno-Tahoe Winter Games Coalition to investigate a bid for 2018. They cited benefits which include close mountains, environmental regulations, and a compact bid. With regards to traffic issues Reno not only has an international airport, a railroad, and highways but also annually hosts one of the largest automobile events in the world with Hot August Nights. Squaw Valley, which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, is on the California side of Lake Tahoe.

* Salt Lake City, Utah

Host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City is interested in hosting again.

Closing date for bids are in January 2009, so will settle when those are announced.