TOWN HALL JOURNAL - SPRING 2007
Los Angeles 2016: Re-imagining The Olympic Games
By Barry Sanders
Chairman, Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games
In 1932, Los Angeles welcomed the athletes of the world as host of the Summer Olympics, officially known as the “Games of the X Olympiad.” City officials were inspired by the ideals set forth in 1896 by French educator Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, whose “definition of Olympism” contained principles that elevated the Games beyond a simple sports competition, including the directives to, “adhere to an ideal of a higher life, to strive for perfection,” and to glorify beauty by the “involvement of the philosophic arts in the Games.”
In 1984, Los Angeles again played host to the Summer Games. At the time, many suggested the financial burdens experienced by cities that had recently hosted the Games were too heavy for the Games to continue. Los Angeles changed that perspective and set the course for future Games by producing enormously successful Games and generating a surplus of funds.
For the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Los Angeles is ready to again offer a watershed moment in Olympic history. We have almost all the necessary permanent stadiums in place now. We can put our focus on promoting the athletes of the Games and on promoting the ideals that de Coubertin espoused.
As one of the world’s greatest media centers, Los Angeles is positioned to spotlight the emotional and spiritual essence of the Games and uniquely deliver on de Coubertin’s dreams.
The Los Angeles bid is developed by the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG), the same non-profit civic organization that was awarded the Games in 1978. The organization is a public-private partnership with the unanimous support of all levels of local and state government. Mayor Villaraigosa and Governor Schwarzenegger lead a host of public officials in support of the effort. As in the past, bidding for and staging the Games will place no burden on Los Angeles taxpayers. No public monies will be needed or used for venue construction.
Proposed venues include Staples Center, Home Depot Center, Galen Center, Honda Center, Nokia Theater, and more. The historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is set to reprise its role as the center of the sports universe for the third time. Its look and operations will be transformed in order for the Games to be completely modern. No other stadium in the world will have hosted three Olympic Games. It is hallowed Olympic ground.
Established in 1939, the SCCOG has among other things sponsored the Coliseum Relays and regularly presented the William May Garland Award to LA volunteer leaders. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized SCCOG with its Olympic Cup in 1965.
The long list of SCCOG accomplishments and activities is anchored by its overriding missions: to support the Olympic Movement and to offer Los Angeles as host of the Games. Leaders of the Los Angeles civic and business communities, along with representatives of the more than 900 California Olympians and Paralympians, comprise the Board of Directors. Current Board members include AEG President Tim Leiweke and Wasserman Media Group President Casey Wasserman, who serve as Vice Chairs of the Board. David Simon is President of both the SCCOG and Los Angeles Sports Council. Esa Pekka Salonen, Tommy Lasorda, John Bryant, John Naber, Janet Evans, John Bryson, and many others make up the Board.
The bid to bring the 2016 Olympics back to Los Angeles is supported by 89% of Angelenos. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged to “do anything, fly anywhere” to bring the Games to Los Angeles, and said in a recent letter, “Los Angeles’ economic and cultural diversity is unmatched; the weather unbeatable; the natural beauty of the Southern California coast, deserts and mountains unparalleled; and the infrastructure for hosting the millions of visitors the Games attract unequaled. Beyond these more obvious assets, the spirit of Los Angeles embodies the Olympic Movement itself.”
The Olympic Games are not something the International Olympic Committee does for a city; they are something a city does for the Olympic Movement. We in Los Angeles, and throughout California, wish to continue making lasting contributions to the Olympic Movement. The whole city, including Hollywood, will become engaged in the Olympic Movement. The increasingly important related industries, such as video games and the Internet, will supercharge the effect of the Olympic message.
Inspiring the excitement of young people for Olympians and the Games is the biggest contribution we can make to the Olympic Movement. Our contribution is already being demonstrated throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District, where a large number of Olympians are leading groups of students in the “Ready, Set, Gold!” fitness program created by SCCOG.
The “Los Angeles 2016” program will constantly draw connections between athletic performance and performance in all walks of life and all activities of the mind. The return to the original ideals of the modern Olympic Games will be broadcast to the eyes and ears of people everywhere. Through its dedication to the ideals of the Olympic Movement, Los Angeles will leave a living legacy to generations of Olympians and young people everywhere.
