IOC poll suggests that fewer L.A. residents support Olympic bid than percentage touted by local leaders
A recent poll by the International Olympic Committee suggests that Los Angeles residents support hosting the 2024 Summer Games at a lower percentage than has been touted by the local bid committee.
The IOC numbers, included in an evaluation report issued Wednesday, indicate that 78% of L.A. residents are in favor of the Games returning for a third time to the city, which previously hosted them in 1932 and 1984.
Support dips to 72% statewide and 64% nationally, said the independent poll commissioned in February.
A separate survey conducted by Loyola Marymount University — and frequently mentioned by LA 2024 officials — states that more than 88% of Angelenos are in favor of hosting the Games.
According to the IOC poll, there is there is less opposition to the games in L.A. than shown by the Loyola Marymount poll. The IOC says there is 8% opposition, and according to LMU there is 12% opposition.
“These polls were done with different methodologies,” said Casey Wasserman, the LA 2024 chairman. “Again, these are extraordinary numbers that we’re very proud of.”
L.A. is competing with Paris for the Games, though both cities could end up winning.
In an unusual move, the IOC has indicated its preference for giving the 2024 event to one city and the 2028 competition to the other. IOC members are to vote on this dual-award scenario next week.
Overall, both bids earned praise from evaluators, who visited L.A. in the spring and referred to the city’s proposal as “vibrant” and “cool.” There were some relatively minor concerns.
The IOC wondered about how L.A. organizers would interact with various levels of government. Evaluators also questioned access for paralympians at the athletes village, which would be located on UCLA’s hilly campus.
Public transportation to proposed event clusters in the South Bay and San Fernando Valley was also mentioned as an area of concern.
Though Wasserman expressed confidence that all those issues were sufficiently addressed, he added: “We’ll work with the IOC in evolving the plan.”
The IOC is scheduled to make a final decision on the host city or cities in mid-September.
Twitter: @LAtimesWharton
UPDATES:
10:40 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from LA 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman and additional information from the IOC evaluation report.
This article was originally published at 10 a.m.
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