Olympic Games: Paris & LA to host 2024 & 2028 respectively
Paris and Los Angeles have been
named as hosts of the 2024 and 2028 summer Games respectively by the
International Olympic Committee.
Both cities had wanted to host
the 2024 event, before LA agreed to wait an extra four years after the
IOC made guarantees on funding.
The Paris Games, which had fallen
short with bids for 2008 and 2012, will mark 100 years since it was last
held in the French capital.
Los Angeles hosted it in 1932 and 1984.
Paris
and Los Angeles had been the only two candidates for the 2024 Games
after Hamburg, Rome and Budapest withdrew from the race.
The IOC voted in June to award the 2028 Games at the same time as 2024.
The
Californian city wanted the earlier Games because of its readiness to
host while Paris said its prospective site for the Games would not be
available for redevelopment after 2024.
IOC President Thomas Bach said the votes for both cities were "unanimous".
Paris - famous landmarks
Olympic rings were wheeled into position in front of the Eiffel Tower before Wednesday's announcement |
Paris' bid team made liberal use of the city's most famous landmark,
incorporating a stylised version of the Eiffel Tower in their logo.
When the action starts it will be the backdrop for the triathlon, marathon and open-water swimming.
The
beach volleyball will take place in nearby Champs de Mars, while the
road cycling will finish on the Champs-Elysees, which also hosts the
final stage of the Tour de France.
The athletics will take place
at the Stade de France, which staged football's 1998 World Cup final and
Euro 2016 final, while the gardens of former royal palace Versailles
will host the equestrian events - eventing, showjumping and dressage.
Los Angeles - familiar venue
Legendary sprinter Carl Lewis - who won four gold medals at LA 1984 - was part of a news conference to announce the city's bid for 2028 |
Los Angeles' bid said it was about "what we have, not what we're going to build".
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which hosted athletics at the 1932 and 1984 Games, is to fulfil the same role in 2028.
Organisers
plan to use Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy's StarHub Center for
rugby and modern pentathlon events, while making use of Santa Monica
beach for volleyball.
Two significant elements are yet to be
constructed however - baseball ground Dedeaux Field will be converted
into an open-air venue for swimming and diving.
And new MLS side Los Angeles Football Club are still building the 22,000-seater stadium that will host football matches.
BBC
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