I’m very, very familiar with the Olympic ideals, as all of these athletes are, but more importantly, I want the games to come back to L.A. – Apolo Anton Ohno
LOS ANGELES — Retired U.S. speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno may not seem like an obvious choice for the Los Angeles 2024 bid committee’s athlete advisory commission, but the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian said he embraced the opportunity because the ideals are the same.
“There is nothing like the Olympic games,” said Ohno, who moved from Sandy to Los Angeles after his third and final Olympic appearance in 2010. “When Janet (Evans, vice chair of the committee) called me, she said, ‘Hey we need your support for L.A. 2024, and I was like, ‘Where is the office? I’ll come down right away.’” Ohno was the only winter Olympian of the 30 athletes introduced by the L.A. 2024 Olympic Bid committee Tuesday during the U.S. Olympic Media Summit at the Hollywood Hilton. The three-time Olympian said he’s thrilled to be involved.
“I’m very, very familiar with the Olympic ideals, as all of these athletes are, but more importantly, I want the games to come back to L.A.,” Ohno said after the press conference, which included an ad featuring the bid logo and slogan, “Follow the Sun.” “The last U.S. Olympic games were in Salt Lake. Salt Lake was an incredible experience. It was my first Olympic games, and probably my favorite as well.”
He said the timing of Salt Lake’s Games, as well as how they were handled, made them especially memorable.
“It was post-911,” said Ohno, whose eight Olympic medals make him the most successful U.S. Winter Olympian in history. “It was a time, I was 19-years-old, and I didn’t fully understand the depth and complexity of what was happening as a country, but I felt it.”
Ohno and Evans said they don’t see it as a disadvantage that Los Angeles has already hosted the games in 1984, especially in light of the IOC’s 2020 Agenda released in December of 2014. The 40 recommendations include a preference for utilizing existing facilities that include a sustainable legacy, both of which L.A. has.
“I don’t think there is a unique challenge,” said Evans, an Olympic swimmer who competed in 1984. “The IOC goal of sustainable games clearly fits with our city as 97 percent of the venues are built.” While Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said some communities wait until they get a bid or bid support to build or bolster things like public transportation, Los Angeles officials have already begun work on and plans for expanding public transportation options.
Jeff Robbins, CEO of the Utah Sports Commission, said he doesn’t necessarily see it as a disadvantage that L.A. has already hosted the Games in 1984.
“Clearly they’re starting to do that more and more,” he said. “And Agenda 2020 …talks about sustainability and legacy. We’re supportive of L.A. 2024 because we’d love to see the Games back in the U.S.”
He said the fact that the USOC’s support of a Los Angeles Summer Games bid meant Salt Lake likely wouldn’t get a bid they’d considered in 2026, but that doesn’t matter.
“We’re going to keep going with all of the things we’ve been doing since we hosted the games,” Robbins said. “It’s a moot point for us because there is no bid available, but from our perspective, we’re here to support the LA bid. And I think they’ve got a really, really good shot.”
The athletes’ commission will be focused on garnering support, but also on keeping the effort centered on athletics.
“They are the heart and soul of the Games,” Evans said. “We are seeking to have the most athlete-centered Olympics in decades. Not everyone aspires to be an Olympic athlete, but sports play a universal role in our society.”
She said with all of the issues that drive us apart, the country needs something to bring it together.
“Sports is something that brings us back together,” she said. The games can “change the lives of those who participate and those who attend.”
Ohno said 90 percent of the city’s residents support the bid effort, and most U.S. athletes would love to compete on home turf again.
“Now it’s our job to go and get the IOC support,” Ohno said.
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