Officials Tell USOC that Angelenos Want the Olympics to Return

In meeting with Mayor Villaraigosa and SCCOG, the USOC learns that
majority favor Olympics back in Los Angeles;
Bid for the 2016 Games has broad support of the community’s residents

Los Angeles, California – May 18, 2006 – Executives of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) met today with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and members of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) to discuss Los Angeles’ desire to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

One of the topics reviewed was a recently completed survey conducted by Harris Interactive® revealing that 89 percent of Angelenos favor a bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. These results follow the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) announcement last September of its intention to bring the Games back to the area.

“We are delighted that the people of Los Angeles are so enthusiastic about having the Olympic games back in our city,” said Barry Sanders, Chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG). “The support, excitement and eagerness displayed from Angelenos confirms that the Olympic Games are the most unifying force in the L.A. community, and mirrors the unanimity of the city’s civic and political leadership.”

Those polled favored having the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2016 for a variety of reasons, including economic benefits to local communities, pride in being the host city, a chance to meet favorite athletes in person, and an opportunity to repeat the success of the 1984 Olympics. The poll also found that 65 percent would want to attend an event or ceremony if the Games returned to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa underlined his support for the efforts to bring the Games back to the city. “Los Angeles is built for the Olympic Games. Our world-class sporting venues, international sports fans and history of success make Los Angeles an ideal host city. Knowing there is this excitement from Angelenos to host the games makes this effort even more important,” said Mayor Villaraigosa.

Los Angeles has hosted two Olympic Games – in 1932 and again in 1984. Sanders remarked that “Among our citizenry, Los Angeles offers the world’s only opportunity to create a multi-generational tradition for the Olympics. Many young people who attended the 1932 games saw their children attend the 1984 Games, and can have their grandchildren or great-grandchildren attend the 2016 Games.”

Under International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, only one city per country is allowed to bid for the right to host the Games. Under the rules, the United States Olympic Committee is responsible for choosing a United States candidate city no later than the summer of 2007. The IOC will select the 2016 host city in 2009 from a list of qualified international candidates.

The survey of 978 adults aged 18 and over living in Los Angeles County, California was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) from February 21 – March 2, 2006. Data were weighted for age by sex, race/ethnicity, education income and propensity to be online.

Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games
Harris Interactive® Opinion Survey Findings
Bid for the Olympic Games

89% of Angelenos favor a bid to host the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

When asked for their reasons, of all Angelenos polled:

• 83% favor the Olympic Games returning to Los Angeles due to the economic benefits for local communities, and
• 75% favor the Olympic Games returning to Los Angeles because of the pride in being the host city and country.

In related questioning:

• 65% of all Angelenos polled said they would attend the events and ceremonies if they were held in Los Angeles.
• Gymnastics is the most popular summer sport Angelenos like to watch with over 70% responding favorably. Swimming was the next favorite.

The survey of 978 adults aged 18 and over living in Los Angeles County, California was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) from February 21 – March 2, 2006. Data were weighted for age by sex, race/ethnicity, education income and propensity to be online.

About the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG)
Formed in 1939, the SCCOG is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the Olympic Movement in Southern California. Since its inception, the SCCOG has bid for the Olympic Games on behalf of and in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles, garnering the award of the Games for 1984. Further information about the SCCOG can be found on their Web site at www.sccog.org.