Los Angeles leaders sign off on 2024 bid plan

Los Angeles City Council members gave unanimous backing on Wednesday to the city's bid for the 2024 Olympics, formally authorizing officials to sign a contract with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the Games.

The city council voted 13-0 in favor of the Games, a blanket endorsement that had been widely anticipated.

The decision allows Los Angeles to ink a host city contract with the IOC for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The vote followed a presentation at city hall given by LA 2024 bid leaders and more than 50 Olympians and Paralympians from seven nations.

IOC executive board members Anita DeFrantz and Angela Ruggiero were also in attendance along with former US Olympic swimming star Janet Evans and sprinter Michael Johnson.

LA 2024 officials say they can deliver a $4.8 billion Games with "no surprises" and no cost overruns. The Games is projected to be bring in $5.3 billion in revenues.

The Los Angeles bid is based around more than 30 competition and non-competition venues that have already been built or are planned by private investors.

"The IOC's Host City Contract is our promise that Los Angeles is ready to host an outstanding and fiscally responsible Olympic and Paralympic Games," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement.

"If LA is selected as the 2024 Host City, our low-risk, high-tech and sustainable Games will inspire the next generation to grow the Olympic Movement and provide social and economic benefits for our communities."

Los Angeles is battling Paris and Budapest for the right to host the Games, with the IOC due to choose the hosts at a meeting in Lima in September 2017.