- Title: Stars insists LA Olympic focus is on 2024
- Date: 11th July 2017
- Summary: LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (JULY 11, 2017) (REUTERS) VIEW OF MIXED ZONE AT THE 2024 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES BID PRESENTATIONS (SOUNDBITE) (English) LA 2024 BID COMMITTEE MEMBER AND SIX-TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION, ALLYSON FELIX, SAYING: "Yes I think that in the presentation I think it was really clear that we're focused on 2024 but I think that this new model could be very great and I think that we would be blessed to have any Games." LA 2024 BID COMMITTEE MEMBER AND FOUR-TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION, MICHAEL JOHNSON TALKING TO MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) LA 2024 BID COMMITTEE MEMBER AND FOUR-TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION, MICHAEL JOHNSON, SAYING: "Well I think if you look at previous bid host cities and their concerns that the IOC has because of issues with previous cities and having to construct facilities and the enormous expense associated with that. I think that Los Angeles eliminates that concern with venues already in place. We spoke… our team spoke very well about the Olympic Village and how our Olympic Village is already in place; we don't have to build that, we don't have to construct an Olympic Village. I think that the support as well. That overwhelming support of almost 80 percent of Los Angeles citizens are behind the bid and want to host the world and have the world come to Los Angeles in 2024 for the Games. I think that that's very important as well." JOHNSON TALKING TO MEDIA SOUNDBITE) (English) LA 2024 BID COMMITTEE MEMBER AND FOUR-TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION, MICHAEL JOHNSON, SAYING: "There were questions about traffic in Los Angeles and I think that our committee answered those questions and allayed any concerns about traffic during the Games so we have an amazing traffic control programme there. I think there were questions about facilities, there were questions about costs. I think our team did a very good job of presenting the budget and how our contingency of almost 500 million dollars is proof of a budget that has been well thought out, well-conceived with Olympic Agenda 2020 in mind." JOHNSON TALKING TO MEDIA SOUNDBITE) (English) LA 2024 BID COMMITTEE MEMBER AND FOUR-TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION, MICHAEL JOHNSON, SAYING: "Well as I said again, we're focused on 2024. That hasn't happened yet and until such time as that does happen we're going to continue forging forward competing for 2024. We have absolutely have committed ourselves to partnering with the IOC and what's best for the movement but right now we feel also very strongly that what's best for the movement is Los Angeles in 2024." REPORTER ASKING: "Can you organize 2024 and 2028?" "We can organize 2018." / JOHNSON WALKING AWAY
- Embargoed: 25th July 2017 11:04
- Keywords: LA 2024 BID OLYMPICS IOC MICHAEL JOHNSON ALLYSON FELIX
- Location: LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND
- City: LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND
- Country: USA
- Topics: Olympics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016P9WAWV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Sprinters Allyson Felix and Michael Johnson have backed LA's attempts to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
The LA bid team are in Switzerland along with rivals Paris, as the International Olympic Committee considers who to give the games to.
The IOC and its president Thomas Bach are keen for the cities to host the 2024 and 2028 games between them, but both Paris and LA would prefer to be considered for 2024.
A final decision is expected in Lima, Peru, in September, with the IOC expected to give the green light this week to changes in its rule book which will allow it to take the unprecedented step in South America of deciding the venues for two Olympic Games at the same time. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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