Two-time Olympic champion and Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant is the latest global star backing LA’s bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to the United States for first time in a generation. The Lakers’ legendary number 24 today announced via Facebook Live that he is joining the LA 2024 Board of Directors and the Athletes’ Advisory Committee.
Bryant made his announcement alongside LA 2024 Vice Chair Janet Evans in an interview with Al Michaels, one of the most renowned sports broadcasters of all time. Bryant joins a high-powered LA 2024 Board featuring 114 prominent local and international leaders in their field who represent the City of Angels’ compelling intersection of sport, creativity, technology, entertainment and new media.
Nicknamed the "Black Mamba," Bryant is an 18-time NBA All-Star and played the entirety of his glittering 20-year career for the Lakers, winning five NBA Championships. Bryant retired in 2016 as the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer and was the first player to reach both 30,000 career points and 6,000 career assists.
Bryant’s unique experience at the intersection of Los Angeles’ professional sports scene and the Olympic Movement will help LA 2024 as it looks to leverage the City of Angels’ dynamic sports presentation expertise to deliver an unforgettable experience for Olympians and Paralympians. Further, LA 2024 plans to build on Bryant’s impressive social media footprint - 11.9 million Twitter followers and 21 million Facebook likes - to reach global youth audiences and help grow Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Two-time Olympic champion and LA 2024 Athletes’ Advisory Commission Member Kobe Bryant said: "I want to bring my experience playing in LA and as an Olympian to help guarantee an elite experience for athletes in this city in 2024. The Los Angeles community has embraced me as one of their own for 20 years. I love this city and how people support both athletes and the creative community. Working with LA 2024, I hope we can bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games back to Los Angeles."
The announcement is part of the bid’s #FollowTheSun to Olympic Agenda 2020 campaign: 20 announcements in 20 days to show how LA 2024 will contribute to the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, Olympic Agenda 2020. Bryant’s addition to the LA 2024 team aligns with Olympic Agenda 2020’s 18th recommendation to put the athletes’ experience at the heart of the Games. Bryant’s massive digital media presence will also boost LA 2024’s ability to meet Olympic Agenda’s 23rd recommendation to engage with youth.
LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman said: "Kobe is an icon for millions of sports fans around the world. Throughout his career he demonstrated a real passion for instilling his love of sport and his work ethic in the next generation of young athletes. Beyond the basketball court, Kobe has been a champion in the LA community, providing sports, cultural and educational opportunities for young Angelenos. Kobe is synonymous with LA’s status as a global sports and entertainment capital and he will be an excellent addition to our bid team."
In addition to Bryant, LA 2024 announced eight other new members of the bid committee’s Athletes’ Advisory Commission, which now counts 108 members. New members include:
David Boudia, Diving
Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Track and Field
Mark Crear, Track and Field
Meryl Davis, Ice Dancing
Sarah Hughes, Figure Skating
John Moffet, Swimming
Summer Sanders, Swimming
Charlie White, Ice Dancing
LA 2024 Vice Chair, Director of Athlete Relations and four-time Olympic champion Janet Evans said: "I am beyond excited to welcome Kobe and the rest of these extraordinary athletes to the LA 2024 Athletes’ Advisory Commission. Athletes have been the heart and soul of our bid from day one and they will continue to inform our approach every step of the way. That’s why it’s important for us to keep inviting new voices and points of view into the conversation, so our first-hand experiences as athletes can ensure LA offers the perfect Games-time conditions in 2024."
For more information visit LA24.org.
LA 2024 can also be found on the following social media channels:
Twitter.com/LA2024
Facebook.com/LA2024
Instagram.com/LA2024
YouTube.com/LA2024
Snapchat.com/add/la2024
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