U.S. Olympic Cities Signal Support for LA 2028

(ATR) Former Olympic host cities in the United States are displaying the Los Angeles 2028 logo the night before the city’s official coronation as a future host city.

Landmarks in Lake Placid, Squaw Valley and St. Louis will join the numerous locations in LA that will display the bid logo and ‘Follow the Sun’ mantra. Lake Placid will light the 1980 Olympic ice hockey venue, Squaw Valley will illuminate its iconic Olympic sign from 1960 while St. Louis will light up the exterior of St. Louis Union Station.

In total, 50 iconic locations are celebrating the official host city agreement that will be signed by LA 2028 bid leaders Sept. 13 in Lima, Peru. However, former Olympic hosts Atlanta and Salk Lake City were not included in the celebration.

Around the Rings is told Atlanta was left out of the ceremony due to the effects of Hurricane Irma that left thousands of Georgia citizens without power.

"The nearly 50 landmarks and buildings glowing in LA 2028 colors show how excited our city and our country are to bring the Games back and underscore the spectacular setting that Los Angeles offers for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028," LA 2028 chief executive officer Gene Sykes said in a statement.

"This show of support demonstrates our city’s wealth of entertainment venues, cultural attractions and natural treasures that, enhanced by the power of Hollywood storytelling, will help LA 2028 engage a brand new generation of Olympic and Paralympic enthusiasts."

These locations will also be lit on Wednesday evening following the signing of the host city contract earlier that afternoon.

The signing brings an end to the 2024 bid race that at one time featured five cities. The loss of Hamburg, Rome and Budapest left just Paris and LA in the running, forcing the IOC to forego the typical selection process and reach a tripartite agreement with Paris and LA. Paris will now host the 2024 Summer Games followed by Los Angeles in 2028.

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Written by Kevin Nutley

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