Rebuilding the Coliseum for the L.A. Raiders

How quickly we forget the wonderful two week event of the summer of 1984. Until I heard of MCA’s plan to demolish our Coliseum, I had fully expected to be experiencing a similar event in 40 to 50 years.

The Coliseum is not simply an asset whose short-term return on investment needs to be maximized, it belongs to us, the public.

The value of an Olympics to Los Angeles every 50 years far exceeds the gain of groups like MCA and people like Al Davis.

A smaller, more intimate stadium will not meet the needs of the opening and closing ceremonies and the track and field events of the Olympics.

I’m not a great fan of Avery Brundage but I can now see what he meant by professional sports and greed spoiling amateur athletics.

Don’t forget 1984; don’t destroy 2032.

KIRK WINTERROTH

Los Angeles