Los Angeles launched its bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games following a unanimous vote by the LA City Council in support of the city’s attempt to bring the Summer Games back to the United States for the first time in 28 years. The city’s Olympic bid was endorsed by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) board of directors and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Joining Garcetti in making the announcement were USOC Chairman Larry Probst, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun, LA City Council President Herb Wesson, LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman and numerous Olympians and Paralympians. Legendary sportscaster Al Michaels served as the master of ceremonies.
The announcement was staged at the Annenberg Community Beach House on the world-famous Santa Monica Beach. LA’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 LA 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.
The environmentally sustainable bid puts the athletes’ experience at the heart of the Games. LA's 2024 plan is based on the core principles of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Agenda 2020 with 85 percent of proposed venues in place or planned, and five primary venue clusters all within 30 minutes of the proposed Athletes’ Village.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Los Angeles as our U.S. bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Blackmun. “LA has the proven experience in hosting the Games, and knows how to deliver world-class events for athletes and an extraordinary experience for fans. Coupled with the city’s culture of creativity and innovation, we are confident LA can deliver an outstanding Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.”
“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,” said Mayor Garcetti. “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.”
We are excited at the prospect of bringing a historic third summer Olympic Games to Los Angeles, the perfect stage for a world-class celebration,” said City Council President Wesson. “The City Council, together with the public, has reviewed the Games plan and believes it will leave a positive legacy for generations to come. Angelenos are passionate about sports and the chance to host the greatest global sports event is an opportunity we do not want to shrink from.”
“LA is a truly Olympic city,” said Wasserman. “Olympism is deeply rooted in the culture here and it is part of our DNA. We live and breathe sport and this is reflected in the vast amount of sports infrastructure we already have. We are very fortunate to be in the position to have so many world-class venues available to us as it has allowed us to develop a sustainable plan that aligns with the city’s long term vision and the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020.”
Today's launch comes two weeks ahead of the September 15 deadline for cities to be officially submitted to the IOC. The IOC will issue new guidelines to bid cities ahead of the deadline. The guidelines are expected to bring the bidding process in line with Olympic Agenda 2020 the IOC's strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.
