Latest news with #LA84Foundation
Los Angeles Times
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Stop trash-talking the LA28 Games
The premise that Los Angeles should withdraw from hosting of the 2028 Olympics needs a counterpoint. Here it is: bad idea. At least some of the negativity stems from an appearance by LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman with Donald Trump in Washington last week. Wasserman made nice and got pilloried as a 'suck-up' and a 'kiss-ass.' Wasserman is neither a kiss-ass, nor a suck-up. Nor should Los Angeles pull out of the Games. Wasserman did what he had to do in the meeting with the president, which is rise above all the political stink that surrounds everything these days. His mandate was obvious. He had to get through the ceremony, smile a lot and never lose his cool. Do it for the good of the city he has lived in all his life and contributed to heavily in so many ways. Rise above all the pettiness and foolishness that surrounded him. Do it for the greater good, which will be a third successful Olympics for a city that has established its unique ability to do this very difficult thing very well. Wasserman completes a trio of Los Angeles Olympic executives who are legendary, and deserve to be. William May Garland traveled to Amsterdam for its Olympics in 1928. In other Olympic meetings prior to that, he asked officials what it would take to get the Games to his city. Their response was 'where is Los Angeles?' Four years later, with a sparkling new Memorial Coliseum, a first-ever Olympic Village for the athletes and a superstar named Babe Didrikson Zaharias winning two gold medals, the world knew where Los Angeles was. Peter Ueberroth was a little-known travel executive who took over the 1984 Olympic effort and did so with the free world in turmoil over the Soviet Bloc. Ueberroth knew what he was facing: traffic nightmares, cost overruns, lifestyle disruptions in a city that abhors such things. Also, high-stakes international turmoil. The Soviets would likely boycott, answering President Carter's mandated boycott of Moscow's 1980 Games, and they did. By then, Ueberroth had sent emissaries to all the Soviet Bloc countries and several of those countries came to L.A., despite the Soviet Union's orders. In all, Ueberroth delivered. Los Angeles had been the only bidder for the 1932 Games, with the world on the brink of war. In '84, the L.A. committee, led by businessman John Argue, that won the bid went all in as most of the rest of the world shivered under the threat of Soviet aggression. That time, Los Angeles had one competitor: Tehran. When Garland's Olympics ended, it had produced a profit of $1 million. That translates to more than $20 million in today's money. When Ueberroth and his team were finished in 1984, the profit was slightly north of $250 million. Much of that still circulates in Los Angeles through the LA84 Foundation, headquartered on Adams Avenue, which invests and distributes annually to hundreds of local charities, mostly children's, and many sports groups. Simply put, that history, those local glories of 1932 and 1984, are too precious, too meaningful, to walk away from over dislike of Donald Trump, political fears or even naysayers' money fears. When the 1984 Games worked, spinning off into two weeks of joy, celebration, achievement and emotional wonder, it was all about the athletes. Every Olympics is. What they do and how they do it understandably push politics, international bickering and egotistical showmanship and fundraising to the background. Wasserman smiling with Trump does not equate to CBS' caving with a $16-million payout to Trump over a perfectly legitimate '60 Minutes' interview. Not even close. Nor is he inviting Trump to light the torch in the opening ceremonies, although this very mention might be dangerous. Casey Wasserman understands what he has undertaken and how difficult it is, and will continue to be, for three more years. Yucking it up right now with the president is survival, a purchase of time to organize and progress. Not surrender. For a while, Angelenos need to put away their knee-jerk Olympic prognostications. There may come a time for doom and gloom, but not now. Bill Dwyre was sports editor of The Times for 25 years and a sports columnist for nine more before retiring in 2015. He organized The Times coverage of the '84 Olympics and was named National Editor of the Year in 1985 by the National Press Foundation for that coverage.
Los Angeles Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
California Science Center opens free interactive sports exhibits
There's a new interactive exhibit opening on Thursday at the California Science Center across the street from the Coliseum that will provide Disneyland-like sports entertainment for all ages, and it's free. Using censors, cameras and 21st century technology, 'Game On!' takes up 17,000 square feet formally occupied by the Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit. It allows visitors to learn about science, sports and movement. You get to actively participate by hitting a softball against pitcher Rachel Garcia, take batting practice instructions from Freddie Freeman and kick a soccer ball into a goal while learning from Alyssa and Gisele Thompson. All are mentors. Yet there's so much more. You get to try swimming strokes, skateboarding, snowboarding, cycling. There's climbing, yoga, dancing and challenging your senses during an exhibit that tests your quickness trying to block a hockey puck. There's a basketball exhibit where you shoot a ball toward the basket and learn if your form is good or not. 'There's something for everybody,' said Renata Simril, president and CEO of the LA84 Foundation that helped provide funding along with the Dodgers Foundation and Walter Family Foundation. She's not embellishing. Parents, children, adults, teenagers — they're all going to be smiling. Don't be surprised if nearby USC students discover a new place to enjoy an hour break for fun and laughter from studying by walking over to the exhibition hall when it opens at 10 a.m. It's supposed to be open through the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but don't be surprised if popularity creates momentum to keep it around longer. 'It's really cool,' said Garcia, a former UCLA All-American softball pitcher who appears on a screen showing off her 60 mph pitch as a participant swings a real bat trying to hit an imaginary ball as a light trail moves down a rail toward the batter. 'I think it's phenomenal. It's going to get a lot of kids engaged.' Garcia even tried to hit against herself. 'I missed the first time,' she said. The batting cage where Freeman is providing hitting advice has a real soft ball and bat. It will be popular for all ages. The rock climbing exhibit still has not been completed, but participants will wear a harness as they climb toward the ceiling. While kids will be the most enthusiastic, a dinner recently held at the facility that had adults dressed in tuxedos and dresses resulted in them trying out the exhibits and acting like teenagers again. Using science to teach lessons could provide inspiration for non-sports visitors. There's sound effects throughout and most important, pushing a button doesn't just mean you watch and listen. It means you get to participate, whether hitting a baseball or softball, trying to make a free throw, trying to swim or skateboard. Don't be surprised when word gets out how fun this exhibition creates. There will be lines. The only question will it be kids lining up or adults?
Malaysian Reserve
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Malaysian Reserve
Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, to Receive THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation 2025 Woman of the Year Award
LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Distinguished youth sports advocate and civic leader, Renata Simril, President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, will be honored as the 2025 Woman of the Year by THE MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation. The annual luncheon, which will take place on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Jonathan Town Club in Los Angeles, honors women who are leaders and trailblazers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), business, or academia. Renata's career is defined by leadership, service, and a lasting positive impact. Committed to the communities and children of Los Angeles, Renata is dedicated to uplifting those around her, regardless of their background or economic status. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for youth—especially those with the least access—to engage in physical activity. Under her leadership, the LA84 Foundation has become a national leader in positive youth development through sports. Renata has been involved with the California Science Center for decades, including previously serving on the Board of Directors as an appointee of Governor Jerry Brown. Additionally, Renata is a driving force behind the Science Center's newest exhibition – GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play – opening May 15, 2025. She helped to shape GAME ON! from an early concept and led the effort to secure significant funding and high-profile partnerships to make the exhibition possible. A respected advocate for the vital role of sport and play in children's lifelong well-being, Renata works to address today's pressing issues with an eye toward their impact on future generations. She is an appointee of Mayor Karen Bass to serve as President of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to California's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. Renata is also a board member of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Prior to joining LA84, Renata was Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff to the Publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and Senior Vice President of External Affairs of the Los Angeles Dodgers. For over a decade, she worked in real estate development with Jones Lang LaSalle, Forest City Development and LCOR, Inc. Her public service includes serving as Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Housing in the James K. Hahn Administration. She was Development Deputy to Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, helping rebuild communities in South Los Angeles after the 1992 civil unrest, and began her career as a U.S. Army Military Police Officer in Germany and the U.S. The annual Woman of the Year luncheon is the major fundraiser that allows THE MUSES to support youth education programs of the California Science Center. Proceeds help to fund educational programming for children from underserved communities who are historically underrepresented in STEM fields, including scholarships to Hands-On Science Camp, Young Curators after-school enrichment programs, and Community Teen internship opportunities at the Science Center. Tickets to the Woman of the Year luncheon are $200 each, with sponsorships of tables for 10 beginning at $2,000. To RSVP and obtain tickets, or for further information, please contact Melanie Miller at mam645@ and Michelle Conrad at hollywoodmich@ About THE MUSESLike the mythological figures for which they are named, THE MUSES strive to be patrons of learning to stimulate innovation in science education. Over six decades after the group was established in 1962, their membership and spirit of commitment continues to grow. Today, THE MUSES encourage public goodwill and provide financial assistance for youth education programs of the California Science Center, contributing to the Science Center's role as a world-class learning institution for children, families, students, and educators. More information about THE MUSES and the luncheon is available at: About the California Science CenterThe California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, adults, and children can explore the wonders of science through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs, and awe-inspiring large-format movies. The California Science Center and IMAX Theater are located in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway at 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission to the Science Center is FREE. The California Science Center is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Visit for more information. Media Contact: Kristina Kurasz Cutting(213) 744-7446 | kkurasz@
