Athletes 'heart' of Los Angeles Olympic bid

Nearly three decades after she dazzled in the competition pool in Seoul Janet Evans finds herself back in the thick of Olympic competition -- as part of Los Angeles' bid to win the 2024 Summer Games.
Evans, a Southern California native whose Olympic career spanned three Games, is a staunch believer that Los Angeles can deliver a supreme athletes' experience if given the chance to host the Games for a third time -- after staging the global sporting extravaganza in 1932 and 1984.

She was happy to take on the role of leading the bid committee's athletes' commission, recalling how the 1984 Olympics inspired her in her swimming career.

"I was a good swimmer, I went to the opening ceremony, I watched Rafer Johnson (winner of the decathlon at the 1960 Olympics) light that cauldron -- it moved me," she told AFP.

"It made me want to be part of the Olympic movement, it made me want to do anything to be an Olympian.

"It became my passion," she added.
"It's what Olympics do, they inspire entire generations of young people who might not be inspired otherwise, that's why we all love the Olympic Games."

Four years later Evans's passion was on display in her own Olympic debut in Seoul. Still just 17, she won gold in the 400m and 800m freestyle and the 400m individual medley.

She added gold and silver medals four years later, and now believes Los Angeles can offer a supreme experience for Olympic competitors.

"I do know that these Games will be focused on the athletes," said Evans, who was tapped in October by a Los Angeles committee taking over the US bid after Boston abandoned its campaign.

The International Olympic Committee is set to decide on a host city in September of 2017, with Paris, Budapest and Rome also in the running.

Evans, joined on the Los Angeles bid committee by Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson -- a member of the iconic 1992 US Olympic basketball Dream Team -- believes the California city can offer an unparalleled experience for competitors.

"Athletes will come first, will be at the center of these Games, they will have advantages and they will be helped far beyond any other Games," Evans vowed.

"What we have in our plans are incredible, it will be great for the athletes."

Evans concluded her Olympic career at the 1996 Atlanta Games -- the last Summer Olympics hosted by the United States.

She said Olympians' needs have evolved since then, and she believes Los Angeles can cater to them.

"Athletes were always first, but I think we can do better for the athletes," she said.

"We can give them better training facilities, accommodate them nutritionally in the Village, make the facilities even better.

"Athletes are at the heart of it."
Source: AFP