Los Angeles 2024 published its updated Olympic bid strategy and concept plan on Tuesday, the file it’s required to (and did) submit to the International Olympic Committee by Wednesday.
Two key numbers were published in the bid book -- the 81 percent of Los Angeles residents who support hosting the Olympics, according to an August poll, and the 97 percent of venues that already exist, are planned as permanent venues by private investors or will be temporary facilities.
The proposed dates of the Olympics remain unchanged from last summer’s bid announcement -- July 19-Aug. 4, the same dates as the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and the failed Boston 2024 bid.
A difference from last year’s bid book is a trimming of venue clusters from five to four (consolidating the Hollywood cluster), plus several sports venue changes (most notably gymnastics moving from Staples Center to the Forum).
Baseball and softball, proposed to be included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, were mentioned in the previous bid book as being played at Dodger Stadium if they were in the 2024 Olympic program. Neither sport is mentioned in the new bid book.
There’s been a tweak to basketball. In the original bid book, preliminary basketball games were slated for UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion and finals at Staples Center. Later in October, LA 2024 bid chairman Casey Wasserman said other California venues could hold basketball games.
Now, Staples Center is the only listed basketball venue.
The to-be-constructed Los Angeles Rams stadium could also be part of the LA 2024 plan.
“Over the coming months LA 2024 will work with the stadium owner to further explore these opportunities,” Tuesday’s bid book said.
Also, preliminary soccer matches will be held across the U.S., but the Rose Bowl remains a soccer venue, according to the new bid book.
The four clusters in the new bid book:
Downtown Cluster Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Track and Field) New MLS Stadium (Diving, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming) Staples Center (Basketball) Los Angeles Convention Center (Boxing, Fencing, Handball, Judo, Table Tennis, Wrestling) USC’s Galen Center (Badminton, Taekwondo) Microsoft Theater (Weightlifting) Also: Archery, Road Cycling, Marathon, Race Walk
Valley Cluster Sepulveda Basin (Canoe Slalom, Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon, Shooting)
Coastal Cluster Santa Monica Beach (Beach Volleyball, Open-Water Swimming, Triathlon) UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion (Volleyball) UCLA’s North Athletic Fields (Field Hockey) UCLA’s Los Angeles Tennis Center (Water Polo)
South Bay Cluster StubHub Center Soccer Stadium (Rugby) Tennis Stadium (Tennis) VELO Sports Center (Track Cycling) Also: BMX
Other Venues The Forum (Gymnastics) Rose Bowl (Soccer) Wilson Golf Course (Golf) LA Waterfront (Sailing) Lake Casitas (Rowing, Canoe/Kayak) Santa Monica Mountains (Mountain Bike)