L.A is officially the U.S. Olympic Committee's choice to take on the American bid for the 2024 Olympics, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today from the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica.

The L.A. City Council voted unanimously earlier today to pursue the bid. 

“The Olympics love L.A., and L.A. loves the Olympics,” Garcetti said.

Los Angeles re-entered the race to host the Olympics after Boston, smarting from potential public costs of this $4 billion-plus endeavor, dropped out earlier this summer.

Boston was chosen by the USOC to represent America's hopes to host the 2024 Summer Games. Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco were finalists.

Now L.A. will battle international heavyweights, including Rome and favorite Paris, for the honor. The International Olympic Committee will make its choice in 2017.

The USOC said this in a statement:

L.A.’s beaches are an integral part of the city’s history and culture and have played a key role in the development of new and existing sports in the city. The beach will have a major part in L.A. 2024’s Games plan as the city looks to engage a new generation of young people in sport and renew America’s commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

Garcetti says the city can cover the cost of the Games — a requirement of the bid — with cash to spare. The 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles were said to be profitable and wildly successful. The city also has venues galore without having to start from scratch.

“Today, I am proud to officially launch our bid in partnership with the USOC as we aim to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the U.S. for the first time in 28 years,” Garcetti said. “It is an honor for any city to host the Olympic Games, and Los Angeles is uniquely prepared for this task. With the unanimous support of our City Council, we are ready to serve and strengthen the Olympic movement and build a new Olympic legacy.”

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