Councilmembers LaBonge and Parks salute Olympic Games

From L to R: Jeffrey Cheung, Chairman of Guangzhou Sister Cities, Jin Fan of the Chinese Consulate, CM Bernard Parks, CM Tom LaBonge, runner Louis Zamperini of the 1936 U.S.A. Olympic team, 1956 silver and 1960 gold medalist decathlete Rafer Johnson.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge held a press conference today at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to officially salute the 2008 Olympic Games that are to begin tomorrow in Beijing, China.

“Los Angeles has hosted two wonderful Olympic Games before, in 1932 and 1984, and we know all about the hard work that goes into making the games a success,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “We hope this year’s Olympics in China are just as successful.”

Councilmember LaBonge was joined in this expression of good will by Councilmember Bernard Parks, Jin Fan of the Chinese Consulate, runner Louis Zamperini of the 1936 U.S.A. Olympic team, 1956 silver and 1960 gold medalist decathlete Rafer Johnson, and Jeffrey Cheung, Chairman of Guangzhou Sister Cities.

Added Councilmember Parks, "The Olympic Games is an every four-year life-changing event, whether a spectator or a participant. Many Angelenos remember 1984 and the glow that the Olympic Games brought to the City. I am encouraged by the accommodations provided by Beijing, China and I send all my good wishes to the US athletes who are in China to bring home the gold."