“Los Angeles is already a great Olympic city but after these three days we now realize that was an understatement,” commission leader Baumann told the media as the IOC 2024 Evaluation Commission ended its 3-day visit to Los Angeles. “This visit has certainly confirmed our opinion that Los Angeles has developed an excellent proposal. Their vision and concept have embraced the direction provided by the Olympic Agenda 2020 with the extensive use of existing facilities in particular. It goes from spectacular venues, to impressive venues to mind-blowing venues. It was very positive because we were able to see them.
“There is still some work to be done, not everything can happen overnight but we think there are excellent bases here,” added Baumann, whose commission will present their report to the public and IOC members in July.
Meanwhile, tennis super star Serena Williams and Simone Biles, winner of four gymnastics gold medals at last year’s Rio Olympics, along with 44 US and international Olympians and Paralympians have been appointed to the LA 2024 Athletes’ Advisory Commission. In addition to Williams and Biles, the new members include Olympic champions Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Ashton Eaton and Nastia Liukin, and Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft and Jessica Long. The new members will play an integral role in LA 2024’s commitment to athlete-centered Games and an unforgettable experience for every participant.
This story first appeared in the blog, The Sport Intern. The editor is Karl-Heinz Huba of Lorsch, Germany. He can be reached at ISMG@aol.com. The article is reprinted here with permission of Huba.