Overprotecting Our ’84 Legacy

Much has changed in Los Angeles, and much has been forgotten, in the decade since Rafer Johnson proudly ascended the steps of the Memorial Coliseum to ignite the flame that opened the Games of the XXIII Olympiad. Such Olympic memories are worth keeping alive.

One enduring legacy of the 1984 games--which for its time was the most watched, most lucrative and best-attended in history--is the Los Angeles Amateur Athletic Foundation. The nonprofit corporation, launched by $95.4 million in surplus funds from the Los Angeles Games, keeps the spirit of competition and charity alive by grants to youth sports programs in Southern California.

But recently the organization found itself in the uncomfortable position of saying no to kids. After two months of deliberations, the foundation turned down a $250,000 request by Los Angeles County officials to help defray the costs of entry fees--$1 per child--at county pools.

The foundation’s grant director cited AAF’s interest in “supporting organized sports programs that integrated components of teaching, learning and competition.” But board member John C. Argue put it more bluntly: “If the AAF starts giving money to replace government programs, it would be throwing it down a rat hole.”

Such brusque sentiments may explain why the county hasn’t received more money for swimming programs over the years.

The Foundation did give $31,000 to county pools this year. But that’s $25,000 less than in 1985. To be sure, part of the reason for the decline is that money was spent on one-time purchases for equipment and other pool improvements. The rest of the money goes to fund county swimming programs, including lessons and swim leagues.

That’s all fine. But what good are lessons if children cannot afford to pay a pool fee and use the equipment?

What’s needed here is some flexibility. At a time when deep budget cuts threaten to further deplete the county’s recreation budget, the AAF can help address some of those financial problems. Not permanently, to be sure, but at least for the duration of one long, hot summer. Surely that would be a fitting tribute to the Olympic spirit of that fondly remembered summer a decade ago.