I was just remembering the last process when London won over Paris. The deadline for submitting bids is over for 2016 i think - so that is the list. Cities bids get rejected over time ( could be as you said starting in june 08) but it will come down to 2 cities for the final choice. Thats why i said there is no shortlist as such, just a timetable for eliminating prospective venues.

I don't go to mythical places with strange men.
-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.