LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The International Olympic Committee has formally proposed picking the 2024 and 2028 Olympic host cities at the same time this year.
Los Angeles and Paris now seem certain to both be awarded a Summer Games in September as the IOC tries to safeguard its signature event for the next decade.
"This represents a golden opportunity for the Olympic Games and for the IOC," IOC president Thomas Bach said Friday after an executive board meeting.
The widely expected proposal from the board did not address which city will go first and stage the 2024 Olympics.
A meeting of the full IOC from July 11-12 in Lausanne will be asked to ratify the board's request. The 95-strong membership seems unlikely to block a policy that could help define Bach's eight-year first presidential term at its midpoint.
"We welcome the IOC Executive Board's decision to recognize two excellent bids from two of the world's greatest cities," Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti and LA 2024 chairman Casey Wasserman said in a joint statement. "With no new permanent venues to build and unwavering public support, Los Angeles is an eternal Olympic city and ideal partner for the IOC.
"We look forward to sharing our unique story with the IOC membership in July and working together to offer the best path forward for our city and the Olympic Movement's future."
A final vote to confirm the hosting order should take place on Sept. 13 in Lima, Peru, at the regularly scheduled IOC annual meeting.
Paris and L.A. bid leaders could agree how to split the games in the coming weeks.
Bach praised Los Angeles and Paris as "two such great cities, two such great countries, having two candidatures who are really enthusiastic."
Paris has emerged as the favorite for 2024, and bid leaders insist they can focus only on that option. Public comments from L.A. bid leaders have been more flexible and acknowledged talks to explore who could be persuaded to accept 2028.
France's new president, Emmanuel Macron, has said he will come to the Olympic capital on July 11 and support the Paris lobbying effort. Both cities will present their projects to the IOC members that day.
Bach has driven the 2024-2028 idea since December, though he asked his four vice presidents to explore and draft a proposal for Friday's meeting.
Choosing both cities can give the Olympics clarity and stability after more than a decade of excessive spending and cost overruns by Olympic host cities. That has fueled local residents to sink potential bids in wealthy European countries and the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.