LA 2024 relocates Summer Olympics press center to USC in latest bid documents
LA 2024 officials have once again made adjustments to their proposal for the 2024 Summer Olympics, moving half of a large and potentially expensive media center to the USC campus.
The change was included in a second round of paperwork due for submission to the International Olympic Committee on Friday.
The “Candidature File Part 2” specified that proposed broadcast facilities would remain on NBC Universal’s studio lot — as part of an originally announced partnership — but the main press center would now be shifted to USC’s Annenberg Hall and Ronald Tutor Campus Center.
Private partnership has been seen as critical for saving money on an element that can cost hundreds of millions or more.
“USC takes great pride in its Olympic heritage, which dates to 1904, and we couldn’t be more thrilled by the prospect of playing such a key role,” university President C.L. Max Nikias said in a release.
Paris and Budapest also submitted their files on Friday, with Budapest releasing artwork that showed proposed venues at historic sites around the city.
Rome also sent a filing to the IOC, though its candidacy remains in doubt after city government leaders there voted to withdraw.
This round of the lengthy bid process focused mainly on economic issues, governmental support and the extent to which the candidate cities have secured agreements with existing venues they plan to use.
LA 2024 said it has agreements with an array of existing stadiums and arenas — such as Staples Center and the Coliseum — that are currently part of its proposal.
The NFL stadium the Rams plan to build in Inglewood is expected to be formally added at some point in the future.
The athletes’ village would be located at UCLA. In addition to hosting the media work center, USC would house media representatives.
“LA 2024 is grateful to USC for the use of their state-of-the-art campus,” committee Chairman Casey Wasserman said.
The committee emphasized to IOC leaders that state legislators have guaranteed $250 million in support should the Games run over budget, as often happens, and that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it would designate the event to receive federal resources.
LA 2024 has proposed a budget that could exceed $6 billion but has estimated that various revenue sources — including broadcast rights and ticket sales — would cover all costs and generate a $161-million surplus.
