Rome, Los Angeles 2024 Add Gold Medalists Leadership

(ATR) Two cities in the bidding race to host the 2024 Olympics made changes to the leadership of their bid teams as each begin to round out bid committees.

On Tuesday, Rome 2024 director general Claudia Bugno announced she was leaving the position to take up "a new, important challenge." Rome 2024 tells Around the Rings details about her new position will likely surface in the coming days.

Bid leader Luca di Montezemolo thanked Bugno for her service.

"Her experience has been important in laying the groundwork of the Olympic bid and to generate a solid and sustainable plan," di Montezemolo said in a statement.

Rome 2024 replaced Bugno with two-time Olympic fencing champion Diana Bianchedi. Bianchedi has held several positions at the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), serving as deputy vice-chairman, chairman of the Athletes Commission and president of the Merit Commission.

CONI president Giovanni Malago congratulated Bugno on the work she had done with the bid and said Bianchedi is a good replacement given her sports management background.

"Her career in CONI, combined with her sporting history, makes her a perfect leader for this project."

Los Angeles Adds Two Vice-Chairs

Los Angeles 2024 added two new members to its board of directors on Wednesday, appointing Olympian and NBA-great Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson and renowned labor-leader Maria Elena Durazo as vice-chairs.

"María Elena Durazo and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson define what it means to be leaders," said Los Angeles Mayor and face of the L.A. bid Eric Garcetti.

"With their expertise in labor, business and sport, they bring a level of professionalism and diversity that is uniquely suited to help us bring the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Los Angeles."

Johnson joins fellow Olympian Janet Evans as the only athletes on the board of directors thus far. Johnson - an NBA and L.A. sports legend - won gold as part of the 1992 Dream Team and garnered five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles 2024 says Johnson will "help LA 2024 harness the city's passion and enthusiasm for sport".

"He’s a true champion on and off the court, and his work in our community has set a new standard for Olympic legacy and post athletic career-path for sports superstars," said Garcetti.

Johnson says he witnessed the Los Angeles 1984 Games and is excited for the opportunity for his city to host another Olympics.

"As a former Olympian, I’m proud to join the LA 2024 team and give them ‘an assist’ in returning the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the United States."

Durazo has had a successful career as a labor and immigration rights leader in America. She formerly led the second-largest central labor body in the countryfor eight years and has been a leader of the organization UNITE-HERE since 1996.

Durazo says she will use her experience to help deliver a bid that will "celebrate the city’s diversity".

"The support of our immigrant communities and our working families is vital to our bid’s success," she said in a statement.

Garcetti says the bid would not be possible without the "support of the hard-working people of Los Angeles".

"With Durazo’s support and guidance, we’ll ensure that the benefits of the Games will be realized all across our city, and that no community will be left behind."

USOC chief executive officer Scott Blackmun congratulated Mayor Garcetti on the recent additions.

"Mayor Garcetti and Casey Wasserman have done a very good job of tapping into both LA's Olympic heritage and its thriving modern sports scene, and we look forward to working with all of the leaders of LA 2024 to return the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the United States," said Blackmun.

Written by KevinNutley

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