Bids

Kobe Bryant, the new asset in the American game

— Published July 3, 2017

In this game, they are the strongest. Unbeatable. Without equals. Alone on their planet. The Los Angeles 2024 team has pulled a new name out of its treasure chest. A new athlete's name called to accompany the candidacy in the last weeks before the IOC vote for the host cities of the 2024 and 2028 Games. A name whose impact is proving to be global: Kobe Bryant.

According to a press release from LA 2024, the former star of the Los Angeles Lakers, double Olympic basketball champion, is joining the Californian project. He made the announcement via Facebook Live, alongside Janet Evans, the vice-president of the bid, specifying that he was joining the board of directors and the LA 2024 athletes' advisory commission.

In itself, the entry into the place of the former number 24 of the Lakers should not upset the game. Kobe Bryant will settle within a board of directors already rich in 114 local or foreign personalities, "representing the symbiosis of sport, creativity, technology, entertainment and new media that characterizes the “city of angels”. He joins the elite. Logical and expected. One more name. They are already legion.

However, the arrival of “Black Mamba”, the man with more than 30.000 points and 6.000 assists in the NBA, represents for Los Angeles 2024 infinitely more than an additional seat in the boardroom. Through his charisma, his popularity and the prestige of his career, Kobe Bryant can become one of the faces of the candidacy. Unlike the athlete Allyson Felix, often called upon but now very busy with the summer season, he is free with his time. The Californian team explained in a press release: “LA 2024 plans to build on Kobe Bryant's impressive social media presence – 11,9 million followers on Twitter and 21 million likes. 'like' on Facebook – to reach a global audience of young people and contribute to the development of Olympic and Paralympic sports. »

Kobe Bryant explains: “I want to bring what I experienced in Los Angeles and the Olympic Games to help ensure that the athletes who come to our city in 2024 will have a high-level experience. The city of Los Angeles has considered me one of its own for 20 years. I love this city and I love how the locals support both athletes and creators. Through my cooperation with LA 2024, I hope we can bring the Olympics and Paralympics back to Los Angeles.”

Close to the candidacy since its launch, Kobe Bryant has already played the game of LA 2024. Last year, he posed with Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, on the floor of the Staples Center during a match of NBA (photo below). Most recently, he attended the official dinner of the IOC Evaluation Commission's visit to California, at the property of Casey Wasserman.

 

Its presence in the campaign should intensify. Kobe Bryant could accompany the Los Angeles delegation to Lausanne on July 11 for the presentation of the candidate cities to the IOC. He should also be on the trip to Lima in September. In both cases, his presence will have considerable media weight.

Hot on the heels of Kobe Bryant joining the board, the Los Angeles 2024 team announced the arrival of eight more new members of its Athlete Advisory Commission, now at 108 names. Newcomers are diver David Boudia, athletes Valerie Brisco-Hooks and Mark Crear, ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, skater Sarah Hughes, swimmers John Moffet and Summer Sanders. Strong.