RIO DE JANEIRO _ Los Angeles' bid for the 2024 Summer Games got some good news _ and some not-so-good news _ on Monday as the International Olympic Committee continued its meetings here.
Former U.S. hockey player Angela Ruggiero, who serves as chief strategy officer for the LA 2024 bid committee, was elected as the new chair of the IOC athletes' commission.
In a world where connections can make all the difference, Ruggiero now leads a small group of athletes who will eventually take part in the vote to select the 2024 host.
She also earns a seat on the IOC's influential executive board.
"It is an important time within the Olympic movement and our (athletes') commission has a great responsibility," Ruggiero said in a statement. "I will make sure our voices aren't just heard but that they are effective and that we empower athletes around the world to do the same."
If L.A. received a boost from the athletes' commission election, so did rival bidder Paris _ one of its leaders, former canoeist Tony Estanguet, was named vice chair of the commission.
Rome and Budapest are also contending for the 2024 Games.
