The Los Angeles 2024 Bid Committee today underlined its intention to put athletes at the heart of its Olympic and Paralympic Games plan by announcing five-time Olympic medalist Janet Evans as the committee’s Vice Chair and Director of Athlete Relations. A native and resident of Southern California and one of the United States’ most decorated Olympians, Evans was chosen to pass the torch to Muhammad Ali at the Opening Ceremony of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta nearly 20 years ago.
In her new role, Evans will lead the LA 2024 Athletes’ Commission, working closely with Olympians and Paralympians to ensure that their voices are heard at every stage of LA’s bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the USA for the first time in over a quarter century. LA 2024 will seek to support one of the aims of Olympic Agenda 2020 – to “enhance the athletes’ experience at the Games” by seeking perspectives straight from the field of play from current and former athletes, both within the U.S. and internationally. The Athletes’ Commission will manage LA 2024’s ongoing dialogue with athletes, disseminating information and collating input, feedback and fresh ideas.
Evans’ illustrious career spanned three Olympic Games and included five medals (four golds, one silver). After winning all three of her races in her Olympic debut in 1988, she added gold and silver medals four years later. In total, Evans broke seven world records in three events during her career. In all three events, her records stood for no less than 19 years. She was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2001.
Evans’ appointment is the latest step taken by LA 2024 in its commitment to providing the optimum environment for athletes. The LA 2024 Games Plan places the Athletes’ Village in the center of the city, giving athletes convenient access to the city’s numerous world-famous attractions. And Los Angeles’ existing world-class sports venues are set beside iconic locations – from Santa Monica Beach to the Hollywood Walk of Fame – which will serve as backdrops for the Olympic and Paralympic competitions as LA 2024 looks to harness the glamour of one of the world’s most famous cities.
Five primary clusters, hosting 94 percent of all sports, will be within 30 minutes of the Village and 50 percent of sports will be within 15 minutes or less, offering outstanding levels of convenience to athletes. Once at the venues, athletes can expect to enjoy an electric atmosphere with packed crowds full of passionate and knowledgeable fans, from a city that sells more than 20 million tickets to sports events each year.
LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman said:
“The appointment of Janet Evans, a three-time Olympian, as our vice chair is a statement of intent from LA 2024. We are totally committed to putting athletes at the very heart of our Games Plan, with a concept designed to optimize the athletes’ experience. Janet will ensure that we remain in dialogue with the athletes and constantly identify new ways to refine and improve our offering. We will work tirelessly to guarantee that if we have the honor of hosting the Games we will provide the athletes with an amazing Games experience. Athletes are the stars of the show and in LA we know how to ensure that our stars take center stage.”
United States Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said:
“Janet has been a wonderful ambassador for the United States in the Olympic Movement and I have no doubt that she will do an excellent job as vice chair and director of athlete relations. The athletes’ experience is vital to the success of an Olympic and Paralympic Games and its importance is reflected in the IOC’s decision to add it as a Candidate City evaluation criterion. With Janet leading, I know that LA 2024 will be in a position to deliver an unrivaled experience for athletes.”
LA 2024 Vice Chair and Director of Athlete Relations Janet Evans added:
“As a native Southern Californian and passionate supporter of bringing the Games back to the U.S. for the first time in 28 years, I’m honored to join this team and will do everything I can to help LA’s bid.
“As an Olympian and former athlete who has competed at three Olympic Games I know how important it is that everything is in place to allow athletes to compete at their best. I remember sitting in the stands as a young fan at the LA Memorial Coliseum in 1984 and those athletes truly inspired my athletic pursuits. I am delighted to be working on a bid that is driven by a passion to provide the athletes of the world with the perfect stage for another inspirational show at LA 2024.”
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My idol as a swimmer! Love you!!!!
Congratulations Janet!