POLLYWOOD | OLYMPICS
LET THE GAMES BEGIN Washington businessman Russ Ramsey explains why he wants to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to the Nation’s Capital. BY RUSS RAMSEY
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rowing up in Prince G e o r g e ’s C o u n t y, there were not many opportunities for a kid like me. Playing sports was my everything; my world, my hobby, my social life and my salvation. It’s where I made friends, where I learned about teamwork and discipline and where I developed the confidence that would later drive me toward success. Without the Boys and Girls Club and amazing mentors, I would not be who I am today. I was fortunate enough to receive a baseball scholarship to George Washington University and I became the first person in my family to go to college, which opened many doors for me. I have seen firsthand how sports can be a force for good and how incredibly impactful it can be on a young person’s life. Sports can be the life-changing catalyst that is the difference between success and failure, between making an impact and becoming another statistic. It is this knowledge and deep appreciation for the power of sport that serves as my motivation for bringing the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games to Washington in 2024. Our bid to host the Games would not only expose world-class sports to our young people, but also inspire them like I was inspired. Throughout history — in good times and bad times — the spirit of solidarity born from the Olympics has brought people together through the universal language of sport. It has also sparked new investment and urban revitalization, which can have a lasting impact on our neighborhoods. The most recent Olympic Games in 2012 was a transformative event for London. It provided a platform for new investment, which would not have happened otherwise, in once neglected neighborhoods
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like the East End. They invigorated the overall economy and created more than 70,000 jobs for Londoners. Within one year after the 2012 Games, new business investment helped London recoup its costs. Much like London did, we have the ability to bring our region together and help transform our neighborhoods in a way that only the Olympics can do. The bid offers us the potential to accelerate economic development in parts of Washington that need it the most through job creation and lasting programs to train the extended workforce necessary to prepare and host the Games. Washington’s bid has come a long way. We are honored to be one of four remaining cities being considered to partner with the US Olympic Committee (USOC) to bid internationally. In the next two months, the USOC will reach the end of a 16-month process that began with outreach to 35 U.S. cities and announce their decision. There is no doubt in my mind that our nation’s capital would compete forcefully on the world stage. It’s been a long time since I played ball after school at Bradberry or pick-up games in Capitol Heights, but one critical lesson I learned from my coaches and mentors was to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves. This region has an unparalleled opportunity to jump-start youth sports and economic development in the parts of our communities that need it most. Already one of the world’s great cities, London recognized the opportunity when they had it and it has paid off for them in spades. Ours is here now and I say we take it. Russ Ramsey is chairman and CEO of Washington 2024, the nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the 2024 Olympic Games to Washington.
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