University student governments representing more than 50,000 young Angelenos have endorsed Los Angeles’ bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, LA 2024 announced Tuesday. Polling across the city has demonstrated that 88 per cent of LA millennials support the bid, further emphasizing the enthusiasm of the city’s youth towards the Games.
The student governments of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC) passed resolutions supporting LA’s bid to host the 2024 Games.
Both UCLA and USC are among the most prestigious universities in the U.S. with approximately 43,000 undergraduate and graduate students and both campuses are home to thousands of international students from more than 100 countries.
The elected bodies cited the benefit the Games would provide their universities and young people, as well as LA’s ability to harness creativity and innovation to deliver a Games-changing experience that connects the Olympic and Paralympic Movement to the next generation.
The UCLA Undergraduate Students Association’s resolution highlighted the central role its campus would play in LA 2024’s plan to redefine a sustainable Games model for the future. UCLA’s residences, which exist today and are home to more than 16,000 residents, would serve as LA 2024’s Olympic and Paralympic Village. UCLA’s newly renovated Pauley Pavilion arena is LA 2024’s proposed venue for wrestling, judo and the Paralympic sitting volleyball event.
Along with hosting the Main Press Center, USC’s campus will also act as LA 2024’s Media Village.
Casey Wasserman, LA 2024 Chairman said “at a time when the Olympic Movement is working hard to engage with young adults around the world, LA 2024 helps pave the way.”
“I’d like to thank UCLA and USC students for their support and enthusiasm for our bid and for their belief in the power of the Games to make our city and the world a better place. LA’s youth is ready to be inspired by the greatest celebration of sport on the planet – the Olympic and Paralympic Games – and we at LA 2024 are eager to make their dreams come true.”
Los Angeles is bidding for the 2024 Games in competition with Paris. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will selected the host city September 13 in Lima, Peru.
