Los Angeles unleashes star power to woo IOC in Olympic bid

Posted May 11, 2017 7:00 am

By BETH HARRIS

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The group trying to bring the 2024 Olympics to Los Angeles is drawing on Hollywood star power.

LA2024 chairman Casey Wasserman hosted a 70-member IOC delegation for dinner at his home Wednesday night. Among the celebrity guests were retired NBA great Kobe Bryant, Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, actor Sylvester Stallone, symphony conductor Gustavo Dudamel and Walt Disney Co. chairman Bob Iger.

The IOC evaluation commission is making a four-day visit to Los Angeles and the proposed venues. The group is to visit all the sites Thursday, including the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the campuses of Southern California and UCLA.

They began the tour at Staples Center, where Wasserman and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti led IOC members onto the court emblazoned with the Lakers' logo. Garcetti was among those who took shots that failed to go through the basket.

A Los Angeles 2024 sign stands in front of 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, 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

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