Leaders of the LA 2024 team have called upon the likes Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky to help pitch their bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics in a new series of online videos.

The first spot — released Tuesday — features track star Carl Lewis reminiscing about his experiences competing in the Coliseum during the 1984 Summer Games.

Walking through the empty stadium, Lewis talks about running before fans whose parents and grandparents had attended Los Angeles’ previous Olympics in 1932.

“Now, here we are back again and we could be just like that,” he says. “I would love to bring, you know, my son back and my grandchildren, to be able to say, ‘Hey, you know, your grandad ran in this place a few years ago.’”


The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to choose between L.A. and Paris at a session in Lima, Peru, in September. There are growing expectations the IOC will take the unusual step of giving 2024 to one city and 2028 to the other.

Throughout the campaign, L.A. bid leaders have emphasized their connection to Hollywood and social media. The new videos will be posted on Twitter, YouTube and other platforms.

“The world is changing, and that includes the way we communicate and engage with young people,” said Janet Evans, a former swimmer who now serves as LA 2024’s vice chair.

david.wharton@latimes.com


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