2016 candidates have work to do, says USOC

RALEIGH, North Carolina, July 27 (Reuters) The U S Olympic Committee advanced Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco as potential candidates for the 2016 Olympics but said all three were currently short of the required standard.

Houston and Philadelphia were eliminated from the bidding process, USOC officials said at a news conference in Denver, Colorado.

''Right now, of the three cities that were selected today, there is none that have an acceptable program that we could take to the International Olympic Committee,'' said USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth.

''It is possible none of them get to where they need to be. It is possible all get to where they need to be.

''If we do not believe a U S city can be competitive, we will not bid.'' A bid decision is expected by late autumn, USOC Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr said. If the USOC decides to go forward, a candidate city would be selected in March 2007.

The three finalists were chosen following a three-month review period.

The United States last hosted the Summer Games in 1996 at Atlanta. New York staged an unsuccessful bid for the 2012 Games, won by London.

The 2016 host city will be chosen by the IOC in 2009. Madrid has already signalled its intention to bid again while there was also interest from Italy, India, Japan and Brazil.

REUTERS PM VV0912