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Olympics: Los Angeles bid signals 2028 Games acceptable
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 [June 08, 2017]
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A top
official behind the Los Angeles bid to host the 2024 Olympics said
on Wednesday the city's primary interest is in the long-term health
of the Games, not winning the 2024 bid, the clearest signal yet that
LA would be open to hosting the competition in 2028.
LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman said in a statement that when the
idea of a dual award for the 2024 and 2028 Games was initially
raised, LA did not respond with a "now or never" ultimatum.
"We could have used that strategy, but we didn't because we thought
it was presumptuous to tell the (International Olympic Committee)
what to do and how to think. We're better partners than that," he
said.
LA's primary focus is not on itself but rather on the Olympic
movement and the world, he said.
"That may be a surprising statement for an American bid; but, it
shouldn't be because America's support for the Games has never
wavered - ever," he said.
LA is competing against Paris to host the 2024 Olympics.
Some think the City of Lights is due after its bids for 1992, 2008
and 2012 were all rejected. The 2024 Games would also mark 100 years
since the French capital last hosted the international competition.
Last month Wasserman and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti rolled out the red
carpet for an International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegation
visiting LA, whisking them around to the city's many sports venues
and to a star-studded dinner at Wasserman's home.
Garcetti told Reuters during the IOC's visit that winning any
Olympic Games would constitute a victory for the city, but also said
to reporters "why wait for 2028?"
[to top of second column] |
LA 2024 Chairman Casey
Wasserman speaks as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti looks on during
a news conference following three days of meetings and tours with
the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission as
part of LA 2024's bid for the Summer 2024 Olympic Games in Los
Angeles, California, U.S., May 12, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake
LA claims it can put on a low-cost, environmentally sound Olympics
because it already has all of the necessary infrastructure in place
while Paris would need to build several expensive venues including
an aquatic center and an Olympic Village.
The IOC will announce its decision in Lima, Peru in September.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Andrew Both) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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