San Diego, Tijuana pursue cross-border Olympics bid

Horrendous waits to enter the United States. A lack of sporting venues. Scarce hotel rooms during peak tourist season.

As they mount a longshot bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, San Diego and Tijuana are playing down their shortcomings by playing up a new spirit of cross-border civic pride.

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner says he and Tijuana counterpart Carlos Bustamante hope to name a cross-border planning committee within the next week and unveil a logo. He has appealed to Mitt Romney to serve as honorary chairman, but the 2012 Republican presidential nominee declined with an offer to provide advice.

For Filner, the bid is part of a broader effort to build closer ties with the Mexican border city. Bustamante says it would enhance the region’s image.