Boston will be American bidder for 2024 Olympics

DENVER – U.S. Olympic leaders surprisingly cast their future with Boston, hoping a compact, college-centric bid will convince international voters to bring the Summer Games to America after a 28-year gap.

During a meeting at the Denver airport Thursday, USOC board members chose Boston, with its promise of frugality and lots of temporary and reusable venues, over L.A., San Francisco and Washington.

“Today’s selection by the USOC is the beginning of an incredible opportunity for Boston,” said Boston 2024 Chairman John Fish.

Boston joins Rome as the only other city that has officially decided to bid. Germany will submit either Hamburg or Berlin, with France and Hungary among those also considering bids. The International Olympic Committee will award the Games in 2017.

The selection of one of the country’s most history-steeped cities comes as something of a surprise to insiders, who viewed Los Angeles as the safest choice and San Francisco as the most alluring.