LA 2024, the city-backed committee working to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Los Angeles in eight years, revealed Thursday that several of its members are in Monaco, having just visited Lausanne, Switzerland, and planning to go to Tokyo.
Noting the Thanksgiving holiday, a statement from the committee said that “This year, LA 2024 bid executives will celebrate while traversing the globe attending an IOC (International Olympic Committee) Candidate City Workshop in Lausanne, the Peace and Sport Forum in Monaco and the Rio 2016 Debrief in Tokyo.”
The trip had apparently not been announced before it started.
The statement said the LA 2024 contingent, led by CEO Gene Sykes, was in Lausanne “for an IOC Candidate City workshop Tuesday. The team met with IOC experts to advance collaboratively the progress on its third and final bid document,” which is due in February.
Chris Sullivan of the U.S. Olympic Committee was part of the American delegation in Lausanne, along with eight members of LA 2024, including Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Deputy General Counsel, Manav Kumar.
The second stop was the Peace and Sport Forum, which opened Thursday in Monaco on the French Riviera.
“The Peace and Sport Forum has attracted more than 500 leading figures from the world of sport, politics, academia, the private sector and civil society,” the statement said, adding that “Sykes is attending to learn more about how LA 2024 can maximize the potential of sport to strengthen ties between communities while promoting peace around the world.”
Next, some members of the American team will travel to Tokyo, which has been picked to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
In Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee will provide briefings on the games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, earlier this year “in order to transfer vital knowledge to future and potential Olympic and Paralympic host cities. The IOC’s transfer of knowledge program aims to reduce costs while ensuring consistently successful operations …” the statement said.
Four LA 2024 members will represent the committee in Tokyo.
“The Rio 2016 Games provided the world with stunning images of sport set to inspire young people everywhere, and that’s why we’re sending LA 2024 executives to study how to build upon Rio 2016’s successes,” said LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman, who is not reported to be on the trip.
“We’ll be paying careful attention to how we can go above and beyond to deliver the best, most personalized experience for athletes and fans. With no permanent venues to build, thanks to a wealth of existing and already-planned sports facilities in our home city, LA 2024 can concentrate our attention, resources and expertise on delivery, experience and legacy.”
Los Angeles hosted the Olympic in 1932 and 1984. The IOC will select the venue for the 2024 games next year.
In a related development, President-elect Donald J. Trump expressed his support for L.A.’s 2024 bid in a telephone conversation with Mayor Eric Garcetti Wednesday, Garcetti’s office said.
Trump and Garcetti, who supported Hillary Clinton in the elections, also talked about “ways to expand infrastructure investments and opportunities in communities across America.”
—City News Service