LA 2024 reveals logo, slogan for Olympic bid

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES -- Mayor Eric Garcetti and more than 100 Olympians and Paralympians joined the chairman of L.A. 2024 on Tuesday to unveil the official logo and slogan for its candidature to bring the Olympic Games back to Los Angeles.

The soaring figure is seen lifted and illuminated by what many feel defines Los Angeles - the sun.

The logo is described by L.A. 2024 as a symbol that shows athletes reaching for their dreams, "the City of Angels," and the "Angeleno spirit of optimism and progress."

"The figure is illuminated, lifted and empowered by the rays of the sun, which emanate from a sparkling point of light at the figure's heart - a palette of colors often seen in the city sky both at dawn and sunset," the group described in a press release.

"L.A.'s brightest star" also inspired the L.A. 2024 slogan, "Follow the Sun."

"Everyday people follow the sun to our city in pursuit of their dreams, spurring unprecedented creativity, innovation and progress," said Casey Wasserman, L.A. 2024's chairman. "We're inviting the world to follow the sun to California in 2024, to join us in L.A. for an Olympic and Paralympic Games that signal the dawn of a new era for the Olympic movement."

The unveiling ceremony took place on the 30th floor of a downtown L.A. high-rise that overlooks the city.

The logo was designed by Los Angeles-based creative agency 72andSunny. Other brand elements were designed by Bruce Mau Design.

It is estimated that the Olympic Games would cost the city $5.5 billion, but officials said it would be an important investment in Los Angeles and its future.

UCLA would be the center for the Olympic village while USC would hold the media village. The Rose Bowl, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Santa Monica Beach would also serve as venues.

However, there are infrastructure concerns over bringing the games to Los Angeles - mainly regarding transportation and traffic.

This is why L.A.'s first detailed bid, which was filed by Wednesday's deadline, includes an $88 billion investment proposal to make L.A. better connected by 2024.

L.A. is one of four cities, including Paris, Rome and Budapest - all vying to host the 2024 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee selects the host city in September 2017.