March 08--Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis and Apolo Ohno highlight a long list of Olympians who have lent their names to the campaign to bring the 2024 Summer Games to Los Angeles.
The LA 2024 bid committee announced its athletes' advisory commission on Tuesday during a U.S. Olympic Committee event at the Beverly Hilton.
"Every time I come to this city, I'm swept away by a river of emotions from the 1984 Games," said Lewis, who won four golds at the Coliseum that summer. "It's the very special feeling I get every time I return to Los Angeles."
The 53 members on the commission also include gymnast Nadia Comaneci, golfer Rickie Fowler, soccer players Landon Donovan and Cobi Jones, volleyball player Karch Kiraly, marathoner Meb Keflezighi, swimmer Aaron Peirsol and International Olympic Committee member Angela Ruggiero, who grew up playing hockey in Southern California.
The group plans to offer input on the bid and hold town halls across the country to gather suggestions.
The International Olympic Committee has emphasized a renewed focus on the best-possible athlete experience. Soon after forming last year, LA 2024 named former swimmer Janet Evans as a vice chair.
"Our city is home to more than 1,000 Olympians and Paralympians," Mayor Eric Garcetti said at the news conference. "They are not here by accident."
The USOC has come to Los Angeles for the week, bringing dozens of American athletes to meet reporters before the Summer Olympics in Rio.
