(ATR) Former Salt Lake City Olympics chief Mitt Romney, now a Republican candidate for president of the U.S., says the Olympics should come to the United States "as often as possible". Romney says that if he’s elected, he will campaign for a U.S. bid for 2016.

Mitt Romney speaking to reporters in Atlanta Wednesday. (ATR)

(ATR) Former Salt Lake City Olympics chief Mitt Romney, now a Republican candidate for president of the U.S., says the Olympics should come to the United States "as often as possible". Romney says that if he’s elected, he will campaign for a U.S. bid for 2016.

Speaking at a campaign appearance in Atlanta, Romney said that having the Olympics is "good for America".

Whoever is elected president in 2008 will move into the White House in January 2009, nine months before the IOC votes on the 2016 city. The U.S. will nominate either Chicago or Los Angeles for the campaign in April but the IOC won’t decide until 2008 which cities from around the world will be invited to submit formal bids.

Asked what he would do as president to bring the Olympics to the U.S., Romney says he would "personally lobby IOC members" for their support, much like Tony Blair did for London 2012. Romney says he would also make it clear what

Mitt and Ann Romney.

the government could provide for transport and security.

Romney says that the U.S. benefits most from the peaceful nature of the Games, not from the financial aspects of the Olympics.

"The Olympics bring friends closer together, they unite communities, and they tear down our enemies" Romney said.

In his opening remarks in Atlanta, Romney mentioned his "sense of kinship with Atlanta, due to our shared Olympic heritage".

Romney took over the Salt Lake Olympics in 1999 when the committee was mired in scandal. His first campaign commercial mentions his “rescue” of the Games.

Following the Salt Lake City Olympics, Romney successfully ran for governor of Massachusetts, deciding to serve only one four-year term that ended last month.

His website is www.mittromney.com.

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