Los Angeles’ bid to host the 2024 Olympics will now include Anaheim and Long Beach, with the committee today announcing proposed sports venues in each of those cities.
LA 2024 committee officials said they have included the Long Beach Arena and Convention Center, the Long Beach waterfront and pier area, and the IndyCar Series Grand Prix race course in their bid proposal.
The recently renovated Long Beach Arena and Convention Center is being envisioned as a venue for the handball event, while BMX and water polo events would take place out of temporary facilities at the waterfront.
Marathon swimming would also happen near the waterfront, while the triathlon event is being planned for the grand prix race course. Sailing competitions would take place at the Belmont Pier.
The committee also added another Southern California neighbor today with its proposal to host volleyball at The Honda Center in Anaheim. The venue is home to the Ducks hockey team.
The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles as its proposed golfing venue. The site has hosted the US Open, PGA Championships and annual PGA Tour tournaments.
“We’re very pleased to add more world-class existing venues to our fiscally responsible and innovative Games Plan for 2024,” LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman said. “By relying on Southern California’s wealth of top sports, housing and transportation infrastructure, LA 2024 will minimize construction risk, operational struggles and costs, and can focus on providing athletes with the perfect stage to perform their best, without distraction.”
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said his city “has a long history of hosting Olympic competitions and producing local Olympians and Paralympians.”
“We are proud to join the LA 2024 team and will do everything we can to support Los Angeles and the United States bid,” Garcia said. “We are committed to ensuring that the Games provide an economic benefit to our hotels, tourism and community.”
Honda Center President and CEO Tim Ryan said Los Angeles “is the right choice as host city and (Honda is) excited to now officially be in partnership with them to bring world-class Olympic athletics back to our area.”
Los Angeles is competing against Paris and Budapest for the opportunity to host the Olympics in 2024. A third rival, Rome, is expected to drop out of the race after that city’s mayor refused to back their bid.
