United States Olympic Committee (USOC) spokesman Darryl Seibel said that the Americans will not join what is expected to be a crowded field to follow next year's Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2014 Winter Games set for Sochi.

 

He said: "There won't be a 2018 bid.

 

"Our sole focus is on 2016 and doing everything we can to support Chicago.

 

"We have given absolutely zero consideration to any other bids."

 

The International Olympic Committee deadline for 2018 applications is mid-October while International Olympic Committee members will vote on October 2 on the 2016 host between Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.

 

In 1972, Colorado state residents voted not to stage the 1976 Winter Olympics over financial worries even after Denver had been awarded the Games and they were moved to Innsbruck instead.

 

Munich and Pyeongchang in South Korea have already announced that they plan to bid for the 2018 Games.

 

Grenoble and Geneva are also considering bids.

 

Last month Chinese city Harbin said that it would also bid if it successfully staged the 2009 Winter Universiade, which it is due to stage in February.