Retired Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant announced he will serve on the Board of Directors and Athletes’ Advisory Commission of LA 2024, the group trying to bring the 2024 Olympics to Los Angeles.
“I want to bring my experience playing in LA and as an Olympian to help guarantee an elite experience for athletes in this city in 2024,” said Bryant, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s basketball team in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
” The Los Angeles community has embraced me as one of their own for 20 years. I love this city and how people support both athletes and the creative community. Working with LA 2024, I hope we can bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to Los Angeles.
Bryant is the 114th member of LA 2024’s board.
Bryant made the announcement alongside LA 2024 Vice Chair Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist, in an interview with sportscaster Al Michaels at the Rose Bowl.
Kobe is synonymous with L.A.’s status as a global sports and entertainment capital and he will be an excellent addition to our bid team,” said LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman.
LA 2024 also announced eight other new members of the bid committee’s Athletes’ Advisory Commission:
— David Boudia (diving);
— Valerie Brisco-Hooks (track and field);
— Mark Crear (track and field);
— Meryl Davis (ice dancing);
— Sarah Hughes (figure skating);
— John Moffet (swimming);
— Summer Sanders (swimming); and
— Charlie White (ice dancing).
The new members increase the commission’s membership to 108.
Los Angeles is competing with Paris to be the host city for the 2024 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee will make its choice in September. The losing city could be awarded the 2028 Olympics in September.