As bidding intensifies between Los Angeles and Paris for the right to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, each city is gradually stepping up in its efforts to win over the IOC and the world. Drawing inspiration from Hollywood, the LA2024 Bid Committee has taken to the silver screen–or rather, computer and mobile screens–in a new web series of videos highlighting what the City of Angels has to offer the world and the Olympic Movement. Focusing on elements of the city not included in the bid book, LA2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman explores LA’s unique culture and the people that make it one-of-a-kind.
In the inaugural episode, Wasserman, the grandson of legendary studio executive and Oscar-winner Lew Wasserman, reminisces briefly about growing up in Hollywood and the movie business before taking a behind-the-scenes tour at Universal Studios, where he explores movie sets and checks out some of the most iconic movie props ever created.
Swimmers can find some motivation to pick up the pace as Wasserman pays a brief visit to Bruce, the giant robotic shark known for his antagonistic role in Jaws. Wasserman also pauses for a selfie with E.T., and cruises down the road Marty McFly flew down at 88 miles per hour in the DeLorean to get Back to the Future.
One of the central themes of LA2024’s bid for the Games is the city’s ability to re-brand the Olympics. While part of that re-branding comes in making a financially lucrative Olympic Games–LA will not build new mega-stadiums or construct new campuses to house athletes, coaches, and spectators–another key component is engaging younger generations and restoring faith in the Olympic Movement. Through videos such as these, LA2024 hopes to accomplish those goals.
The trailer can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlrRRw0SbmE
Episode 1 of the series can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIpDIEh9h8
For the record, Casey is Lew’s grandson. When his parents divorced, he took his grandfather’s name.