(ATR) IOC member Anita DeFrantz is moving on from her role as presidentof the LA84 Foundation to focus efforts on the Los Angeles 2024 Olympicbid.
DeFrantz will volunteer as the senior advisor for legacy.
"Since it’s the city I’ve lived in since 1981, I understand it very well and it’s a delight to be able to work on legacy, certainly something I know a little bit about," she tellsAround the Rings.
DeFrantz will be the toast of Los Angeles Thursday night at a reception marking her 28-years of experience as head of the LA84 Foundation. The foundation, a legacy of the 1984 Games,has provided more than $225 million of support to youth sports organizations over the past 30 years.
"The LA84 Foundation’s work is living proof of the type of Olympiclegacy that is possible for a city," says DeFrantz. "I am excited tohave the chance to build a new Olympic legacy for Los Angeles with theLA 2024 Candidature Committee."
She stepped down at LA84 in January, succeeded as CEO byRenata Simril, a third generation Angelino. DeFrantzwill pass a torch used at the 1984 Games to Simril during the reception.
"It’s wonderful to know that the work will be carried on," DeFrantz tells ATR. "It’s strong financially, it’s got a great board and the new CEO is delighted to be in that position and will do a great job."
LA 2024 bid leader Casey Wasserman, Mayor Eric Garcetti, USOC CEO Scott Blackmun and LA 84 organizing committee president Peter Ueberrothare set to attend the event.
Olympian Rafer Johnson will also be on-hand for the ceremony. DeFrantz says Johnson is one of her biggest Olympic heroes.
"Rafer Johnson is the first Olympian I met in 1946. He came to see what rowing is about and I remember shaking his head and feeling like I was looking up at the sky," she tells ATR.
Written by KevinNutley
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