Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, has warned that his city is not going to give up on their
campaign to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, despite increasing signs the 2028
event will be awarded at the same time.
It is widely assumed that, should the scenario emerge, then Paris would be awarded the 2024
edition and Los Angeles the 2028 Games.
The French capital has claimed that if it does not host the Games in 2024 then they will not
be able to build on the land earmarked for the Olympic Village in Seine-Saint-Denis as it
will not be available after that.
Garcetti, though, wants Los Angeles to continue to push hard to host the 2024 Olympics.
“We are competing for 2024,” he told insidethegames here.
“Full stop.
“I would love to visit my friends in Paris in 2028.
“We have never contemplated anything else.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) contacted both Los Angeles and Paris following the
decision of its ruling Executive Board last week to establish a working group to investigate
the possibility of awarding both the 2024 and 2028 Games at its Session in Lima on September
13.
“They have kept us abreast of the conversations they are having, which is appropriate,” said
Garcetti.
“I support those kind of conversations.
“There are too many cities that lose, it costs way too much [to bid].
“I support those kind of reforms but that is a bigger question for the future.
“We are focused on the present, which is a bid for 2024.
“We will play by the rules and the rules today say this is a competition for 2024.”
The possibility of awarding both the 2024 and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games follows a bid
campaign which has seen the unprecedented decision of three cities – Hamburg, Rome and
Budapest – to withdraw during the process following local opposition.
There are also fears that cities, particularly in Western Europe, are less willing to bid for
the Olympics.
