April 29--For the last few years, an event called LA Hacks has attracted thousands of college students who -- over the course of 35 largely sleepless hours -- collaborate on new computer hardware and software to solve various technical and social problems.
When the hackathon returns to UCLA this weekend, the Olympic movement will have a place at the table.
LA 2024 has signed on as a sponsor and will present two of the many challenges. Students will be asked to create apps that promote fitness and enhance the fan experience at live sporting events.
"You get the juices flowing," said Jeff Millman, an LA 2024 spokesman. "If we get the Games, maybe they could develop something for the [organizing committee]."
The private bid group, which hopes to bring the 2024 Summer Games to Los Angeles, is offering court-side seats to Clippers and UCLA men's basketball games as prizes.
FULL COVERAGE: L.A. 2024 Olympic bid >>
LA Hacks begins with registration at Pauley Pavilion at 6 p.m. Friday. The hacking starts at 11 p.m. and will continue to 10 a.m. Sunday.
