Los Angeles, Paris Await Olympic Coronation

(ATR) As the IOC works towards striking a deal with Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, both LA and Paris are keeping their heads down.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti signaled clearly this week that his city is engaged with the IOC to come up with an agreement to host 2028. He said the negotiations include financial inducements for LA to make it attractive for the city to accept 2028 and allow Paris to claim the 2024 Games.

The negotiations follow the decision earlier this month by the IOC to select one city for 2024 and another for 2028, if the cities can mutually agree on how to make that happen.

Two weeks after the IOC meeting in Lausanne, the deal seems to be coming together.

Around the Rings understands that nearly all the talking involves Los Angeles which is the city needing to make all the changes to make the move to 2028.

Los Angeles bid chair Casey Wasserman and bid CEO Gene Sykes are said to be handling the negotiations for the U.S. bid.

"What's to negotiate?" asks a Paris bid official when he was queried about the state of play this week for the French bid.

Garcetti hinted that the deal could be struck within the week. That would make it possible for the IOC Executive Board to review the terms when they meet in London Aug. 4.

Both cities have dialed back on promotional activities while discussions take place. The bids have indicated it won’t be until August before they engage in any additional promotions ahead of the IOC Session in Lima where the vote for the Olympic host is set for Sep. 13. Under IOC rules, the bid cities must halt all promotion three weeks before the vote.

Written by Ed Hula.

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