Latest news with #EricGarcetti
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
LA 2028 Olympics: Janet Evans Chief Athlete Officer
Before there was Ledecky there was Evans. Janet Evans. In the late 1980s Evans was the first woman to hold three world records simultaneously in the 400, 800, and 1500-meter freestyle and was the first American woman to win four individual Olympic gold medals in swimming. She was ahead of her time. Her records would not be broken until 2006, 2008 and 2007 respectively. Evans would finish her Olympic career, which began in Seoul in 1988, in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympics as one of the most decorated American swimmers of all time. Nicknamed 'Miss Perpetual Motion,' she won five Olympic medals (four gold), captured 45 national titles, and set seven world records in the pool. Although she succeeded beyond her wildest dreams in her racing career Evans would reflect later that her experiences outside the pool as an Olympic athlete often left something to be desired. So when LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti first approached Evans in 2015 about the job of Chief Athlete Officer for the 2028 Games she was quick to spell out her expectations. Evans saw her role as reminding everyone on the organizing committee every day that the athletes are the most important stakeholders in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. All decisions regarding events including timing, transportation, facilities, food and housing would be filtered through this lense. 'When I took the job, I told LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman and Mayor Garcetti: 'I won't take this job unless we put athletes at the heart of what we're doing, and every decision we make that involves athletes will be passed through my team,'' Evans said. 'That's how my role evolved here at LA28, because Casey gave me the bandwidth to put athletes first. I think every decision we make here at LA28 is very athlete centered. We have more Olympians working here at LA28 than the IOC does in Lausanne.' From the beginning Evans would reach out to athletes for feedback while preparing L.A.'s presentation to the IOC, including at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. She wanted to hear their direct input for how to envision the 2028 Games. 'It was an amazing experience because I got to reconnect with athletes,' Evans said. Now in her role as Chief Athlete Officer, Evans is faced with the Herculean task of arranging accommodations for 15,000 athletes from more than 200 national Olympic committees (NOCs) across 30 different sports. As someone whose 1992 Olympic experience was impacted by her bus driver getting lost in Barcelona between prelims and finals, Evans knows firsthand how important it is for logistics to run smoothly on what might be the most important day of an athlete's career. Evans would attend the 2024 Games in Paris not only to talk to attend events and tour facilities like the Olympic village, but seek fresh input from the athletes right after the Games. She wanted to hear the good, the bad and the ugly from their perspective. 'Having lived in three Olympic Villages and having competed in three Olympic Games ... "It's really important to understand what the athletes are experiencing,' Evans said. For Evans that meant things like comments about uncomfortable beds, limited air conditioning and food shortages. Evans is satisfied those issues have been successfully addressed in housing the athletes on the campus of UCLA. The athlete village for the 2028 Games will be the campus of UCLA, which has an enrollment of almost 45,000 students, with 11,000 undergraduates currently living on campus. That includes 5 dining halls and 5 casual eating areas, 9 of UCLA's athletics facilities for training (which will allow 51% of Olympians and 62% of Paralympians to train in the village). For swimmers, divers, artistic swimmers, and water polo players, that training will include use of the 50-meter pool at the Spieker Aquatics Center. There will be a total of 17,000 beds in the Olympic Village for athletes and support personnel. This 'city within a city' will be complete with services and amenities designed with convenient access to dining options, fitness centers, TV and recreation lounges, laundry rooms, and 24-hour front desk assistance. In addition to creating optimum housing and training facilities for the athletes, Evans and the LA Organizing Committee are prioritizing their safety and security. In June of 2024, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the greater Los Angeles area were designated a National Special Security Event by the Secretary of Homeland Security. This marks the furthest in advance that a National Special Security Event designation has ever been granted. 'The security planning for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a huge undertaking that will require close coordination between law enforcement and public safety partners at all levels,' said Brian Lewin, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service Los Angeles Field Office. 'We are already working diligently to ensure that the games, though years away, will be secure for all athletes, attendees, and the public.' Seems like Janet Evans should feel pretty good then about her goal to put the athletes first at the 2028 Games? Yes and no. 'Not every athlete is going to get every single thing because there are 27 different international federations that have needs, too,' Evans said. 'It's become an interesting transition for me away from aquatic sports, if you will, and toward the entirety of the participants at the Games, both Olympic and Paralympics. We love Team USA, but we have 206 national Olympic committees (NOCs) coming to LA. While Team USA is obviously my favorite team, we have a lot of other NOCs that have their needs also.' The bottom line is Evans' job is a monumental undertaking. Between now and the summer of 2028 she and the organizing committee have a never-ending task list. And It will not be perfect in the end. But I think Evans is the right person for the job. Because of her experience as an Olympic athlete and her dedication to putting the athletes first in all things at the LA 2028 games, they win. And if they win we all win.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No more long waits: US opens thousands of slots for this visa type across Indian cities
The US Embassy in India has announced that thousands of student visa appointment slots are available throughout its consulates, which is a major step for Indian students hoping to study in the United States. The goal of this program is to expedite visa processing in advance of the next school year. According to the US Embassy, these appointments are accessible across all US consulates in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The embassy has provided a link directing applicants to a webpage that displays visa appointment availability by country. This move is in line with the embassy's efforts to streamline the visa process and ensure that students can commence their studies in the US without delays. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti emphasized the significance of student visas, stating that the United States is dedicated to increasing the number of applications it receives from Indian students and values the enduring importance of people-to-people connections. The demand for US education among Indian students remains robust. In 2023, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas, more than any other country, marking a record for the third consecutive year. Additionally, the broader US Mission in India processed a record 1.4 million visas in the same year. Read More: Indian e-passport launch: Here's what travellers need to know Before applying for a student visa, applicants must first secure admission to a U.S. university accredited by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which will provide them with a Form I-20. After receiving this form, students must schedule an appointment through the official U.S. Travel Docs website, complete the DS-160 form, and pay the SEVIS fee. The US Embassy urges students to steer clear of third-party agents and use only official sources for information and appointment bookings. This helps maintain transparency and minimizes the chances of receiving incorrect or misleading information. Read more: The Big 5 of India: Where to spot the elephant, tiger, leopard, rhino, and gaur Indian students are encouraged to promptly book their appointments and prepare the necessary documents as soon as visa slots open. The proactive approach by the US Embassy highlights its commitment to fostering educational exchange and strengthening India–US bilateral relations. Future-Proof Your Child with AI Skills | Limited Early Bird Seats – 33% OFF! | WhatsApp: 9560500838
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No more long waits: US opens thousands of slots of this visa type across Indian cities
The US Embassy in India has announced that thousands of student visa appointment slots are available throughout its consulates, which is a major step for Indian students hoping to study in the United States. The goal of this program is to expedite visa processing in advance of the next school to the US Embassy, these appointments are accessible across all US consulates in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The embassy has provided a link directing applicants to a webpage that displays visa appointment availability by country. This move is in line with the embassy's efforts to streamline the visa process and ensure that students can commence their studies in the US without Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti made the statement after stressing the importance of student visas. The United States is committed to accepting more applications from Indian students and recognizes the lasting value of people-to-people interactions, he demand for US education among Indian students remains robust. In 2023, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas, more than any other country, marking a record for the third consecutive the broader US Mission in India processed a record 1.4 million visas in the same more: Delhi: Flight delays expected to drop as key runway reopens at Delhi Airport Prior to submitting an application for a student visa, candidates must be accepted into a US university that has been approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which will then issue a Form I-20. Students then need to make an appointment on the official US Travel Docs website, fill out the DS-160 form, and pay the SEVIS US Embassy advises students to avoid third-party agents and rely solely on official channels for information and appointment scheduling. This approach ensures transparency and reduces the risk of more: The Big 5 of India: Where to spot the elephant, tiger, leopard, rhino, and gaur Indian students are urged to move quickly to reserve their appointments and get the required paperwork ready as soon as these visa slots become available. The US Embassy's proactive action demonstrates its dedication to promoting educational exchanges and enhancing India-United States bilateral ties.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Good News for Indian Students: U.S. Embassy to Process Thousands of Student Visas under Mission India
Millions of foreign students studying in U.S. universities have been worried since Donald Trump became president in January. The fact that many Indian students are being deported is a big concern. However, there is good news for Indian students who want to go to the U.S. for higher education. The U.S. Embassy posted on its official X account on Monday that thousands of student visa applications are now available under Mission India. According to the latest post, the authorities are making plans for students who want to go to the U.S. before the new school year begins. In April 2024, U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said that the U.S. is giving top priority to student visas. He also mentioned that connections between people are important and last a lifetime. Mission India was started to help more students get visas. The U.S. Embassy issued a record 1.4 million visas in 2023. Statistics show that Indians, including students, are getting the most U.S. visas. However, stricter immigration rules, deportation for small offenses, and monitoring students' social media accounts in universities are causing legal problems for many. Experts warn that Indian students need to understand the new rules and adjust once they are in the U.S. They also suggest that students choose the right university to avoid legal issues.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Thousands of student visa appointments available across US Mission in India: Embassy
The US Embassy here on Monday said "thousands of student visa appointments " are available across its Mission in India. The embassy also shared a link to a webpage where country-wise details related to visa appointment availability can be accessed by applicants. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan's economy has much more to lose than India's due to the ongoing tensions, warns Moody's Ratings The day Pakistan got the power to poke India India demands ADB to stop funds to Pakistan as fallout of Pahalgam terror attack deepens In a digital poster shared with its post on X, it said, "Thousands of student visa appointments are available across MISSION INDIA." In April 2024, in an interview to PTI, the then US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti had said, that America puts "high priority" on student visas because it knows people-to-people ties "last a lifetime", and asserted that its Mission was preparing to accommodate higher number of applications from Indian students that year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo American universities attract a large number of Indian students. In 2023, the US consular team in India had issued over 1,40,000 student visas -- more than in any other country -- setting a record for the third year in a row. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Also, in 2023, the US Mission in India had processed a record 1.4 million visas.
