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Evaluating LA bid for 2024 Olympics requires imagination

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Evaluating Los Angeles' readiness to host the 2024 Olympic Games takes some imagination. That's because a lot of the pitch still relies on images on a computer screen, or a blueprint of what's to come on a dusty construction site.

Los Angeles Olympic organizers often say their plan for two weeks of international competition is virtually realized, stressing that it requires no new construction of permanent venues. The concept for the LA Games, they say, is ready to go because "it already exists."

But there is a lot that International Olympic Committee members won't see as they visit Los Angeles this week in the run-up to a September decision on whether LA or Paris will get the 2024 Games.

Some of the opening ceremonies, including the famous Parade of Nations, would take place in a $2.6 billion NFL stadium just outside Los Angeles that today is a gouged, fenced-in lot crisscrossed by tire tracks.

The city notorious for its clotted freeway traffic will make use of a "growing public transit system," the LA proposal boasts. Indeed, Los Angeles has billions of dollars of planned rail lines, some of which are under construction and not scheduled to be completed until 2023 or 2024. Others are in use and would drop spectators near venues.

City planners describe Los Angeles International Airport as the "gateway" for the Olympics. But anyone familiar with the airport knows it inflicts daily misery on travelers, including knotted traffic in and out of terminals. An impressive new terminal opened several years ago for international flights, and billions of dollars in other improvements are underway.

LA's bid is closer to completion than many in past years, but in some ways it comes down to a promise of what's to come.

This week, IOC members are looking for "the ability to deliver," Chicago-based sports finance consultant Marc Ganis said. They want to see "commitment and competence," he said, not just sketches and mock-ups.

On Thursday, members of the IOC fanned out in three groups to privately tour the proposed venues, from downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach to Carson to Pasadena, and the campuses of Southern California and UCLA.

The media village would be at USC, while the athletes' village would be at UCLA, where existing residence and dining halls would be used.

"The feedback was incredible," said LA24 chairman Casey Wasserman, who didn't elaborate on the IOC's reaction.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti added: "They had good suggestions that helped our thinking a lot."

In the background is a looming question. The IOC is considering awarding two Olympics at its September meeting in Peru, 2024 and 2028, one for each city. Officials from both cities stress they are bidding on 2024.

On Wednesday, Patrick Baumann, chairman of the IOC evaluation committee, didn't directly address a question about the possibility of awarding the 2024 and 2028 Games at the same time.

"We will be concentrating on the process that has started and these cities have been going through for the purpose of awarding the host of 2024," Baumann told reporters.

In the Olympics, time is the enemy. As late as March 2000, the IOC considered moving the 2004 Olympics out of Athens, Greece, because of construction delays. Even so, work on the main stadium complex was ongoing just weeks before the Games began.

There are six venues planned for Long Beach, a coastal city south of downtown LA. Some of them will require temporary facilities that don't exist today, including a water polo pool. Others will take place in the ocean or in Long Beach Arena.

The cost of making it a reality comes out of the bid's $5.3 billion budget. Erecting and removing the temporary pool and bleachers, for example, is projected at nearly $14 million. A mountain biking track in the hills east of Los Angeles will cost over $13 million. A temporary outdoor stadium would rise next to the famous Santa Monica Pier for beach volleyball. Cost: $23.4 million.

Even sites that do exist, like the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home to the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, are works in progress.

It's slated to have a $270 million privately funded renovation completed by 2019, but transforming a football stadium into a venue for Olympic track events, then back again, will cost over $100 million, according to projections.

A little stagecraft can help fill in what's missing. At the Rose Bowl, organizers emblazoned the field with the Olympic rings for the IOC guests. Hollywood studios were illuminated with the colors of an LA sunset and the logo for the city's bid to mark the arrival of the IOC. Committee members attended a celebrity-studded dinner Wednesday where guests included retired Lakers great Kobe Bryant, Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and actor Sylvester Stallone.

"A lot of the stadiums for the Olympics are being envisioned for the future. They would not even be built if it wasn't for the Olympics," said Jules Boykoff, a professor at Pacific University in Oregon who has written widely on the Olympics movement.

"If you have existing venues, you don't have to envision as much. It still takes some imagination," he said.

Members of the media tour the residential area on the campus of UCLA, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the Olympic Village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Mock signs are seen in the residential area on the campus of UCLA, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the Olympic Village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, May 10, 2017 photo, a rendering of the Los Angeles 2024's South Bay Sports Park is displayed at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, International Olympic Committee leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Members of the media enter the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, IOC leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Journalists visit the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 2024's proposed ceremonies and track-and-field venue, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, IOC leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
A general view of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 2024's proposed ceremonies and track-and-field venue, is seen, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, IOC leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission Chair Patrick Baumann, left, takes pictures of IOC member Nawal El Moutawakel outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, IOC leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Los Angeles 2024 organizers and the International Olympic Committee officials play basketball during a tour at Staples Center, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, IOC leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
A rendering of the Los Angeles 2024's South Bay Sports Park is on display at the StubHub Center, Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in Carson, Calif. Los Angeles Olympic organizers are putting their plans on display at a time of uncertainty in the race for the 2024 Games. Members of the International Olympic Committee are in Southern California this week to inspect stadiums and arenas that could become future Olympic Games venues. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
The Long Beach Arena, left, one of the Los Angeles 2024's proposed venues for Olympic games, is photographed, Wednesday, May 10, 2017, in Long Beach, Calif. Los Angeles Olympic organizers are putting their plans on display at a time of uncertainty in the race for the 2024 Games. Members of the International Olympic Committee are in Southern California this week to inspect stadiums and arenas that could become future Olympic Games venues. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Members of the media tour the residential area on the campus of UCLA, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the Olympic Village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Members of the media tour the newly constructed USC Village, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the media village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
A man adjusts straps on his goggles while swimming in a pool in the residential area on the campus of UCLA, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the Olympic Village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Members of the media tour the residential area on the campus of UCLA, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the Olympic Village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Mock signs are seen in the residential area on the campus of UCLA, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the Olympic Village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission Chair Patrick Baumann, left, watches as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, center, shoots during a tour of Staples Center, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as IOC members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Members of the media tour the newly constructed student cafeteria at USC Village, Los Angeles 2024's proposed site of the media village, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission Chair Patrick Baumann, left, shoots during a tour of Staples Center, Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as IOC members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles 2024's proposed ceremonies and track-and-field venue, is seen Thursday, May 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. After bidding for the 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles might have to wait. With the competition down to LA and Paris, IOC leaders are considering a proposal to award the next two Olympics, 2024 and 2028, one to each city. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
Large signs promoting the city's bid are seen at the arrival area of Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport Thursday, May 11, 2017 as the city seeks the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) The Associated Press
Construction work continues next a Japan Airlines jet at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport Thursday, May 11, 2017 as the city seeks the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper or under construction as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) The Associated Press
An airliner prepares to land at Los Angeles International Airport over the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line, en extension of the city's transportation network, Thursday, May 11, 2017 as the city seeks the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Envisioning the 2024 Olympic Games in Los Angeles takes imagination. Olympic organizers describe their proposal as ready to go, yet a lot remains on paper or under construction as International Olympic Committee members visit Los Angeles this week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) The Associated Press
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