LA84 Foundation

LA84 was grateful to welcome Marie Sallois from the International Olympic Committee – IOC and Evan Unrau from PeacePlayers International to the LA84 Foundation campus. The visit was an opportunity to showcase the lasting impact of the 1984 Olympic Games and how its legacy has fueled our mission to expand youth sports and play throughout Southern California. Thank you for the insightful visit and conversation!

This past Friday, LA84 launched the 2024 California Play Equity Report. Presenting data and research from national research firm EVITARUS, the California Play Equity Report is the first-of-its-kind, shedding light on play equity, youth sports participation, and physical activity levels throughout California. Dive into the findings here: https://lnkd.in/ghTg4G6X To mark the report's release, we presented key findings at the California State Senate Education Committee Hearing at SoFi Stadium. Senators Josh Newman, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, and Steven Bradford heard from panels of experts, LAUSD officials, youth sports advocates—including 5x NBA Champion Derek Fisher—who all spoke to the importance of the findings in the study and why expanded access to youth sports, play, and physical education are essentials for kids across the state. We look forward to using this data to further drive our advocacy efforts to get more kids in the game.

We had questions about our youth's ability to play in the state of California. We asked parents and students to tell us about their attitudes and experiences, challenges, and rewards. Their answers are eye-opening, and the mandate is clear: close the play equity gap. This Friday, September 27th, our 2024 California Play Equity Report goes live. Dig into the results with us.

Join us next Friday (9/27) for “Examining Physical Education Through a Play Equity Framework," a public informational hearing hosted by the California State Senate Education Committee at SoFi Stadium. We'll hear from elected officials, youth, and experts in physical and mental health on the challenges and opportunities communities across California face around youth sports and play with a special deep dive on Physical Education (P.E.) in our public schools. We're also unveiling LA84's 2024 California Play Equity Report, a first-of-its-kind report that examines youth sports participation, play, and movement for kids across California. If interested in attending, email James@la84.org for arrival info and more details.

It's official: The Olympic and Paralympic flags are ready to go in City Hall! Yesterday was an incredible moment in LA's ongoing Olympic legacy as Olympians, Paralympians, civic leaders, and community members representing our city joined Mayor Karen Bass to unveil the Olympic and Paralympic flags at City Hall. 2028 coming up! #GamesForAll #NextUpLA28

Today, I was deeply honored to receive the Hero Award from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. It's inspiring and motivating to share the stage with organizations and individuals committed to promoting health and well-being for our youth and Americans in communities nationwide. A heartfelt thank you to the President's Council for the recognition, and congratulations to my fellow awardees! #PCSFN

Be sure to tune in!

"The focus on joy at these Olympic Games represents more than a feel-good narrative; it reflects a deeper understanding of what makes sports meaningful...This joy should not be confined solely to elite athletes on the world’s biggest stage. It must be accessible to all, particularly our youth who are just beginning to explore the world of sports through play." LA84 Foundation CEO Renata Simril reflects on the joy of the Paris 2024 Games and why it's more important than ever that all kids experience the power of play. Read the full op-ed here: https://lnkd.in/gw9AzYSs

“Today we celebrate four decades of the LA84 Foundation bringing sport, play, and movement to kids across our region.” - Renata Simril There were so many special moments at our 40th Anniversary Gala, where we honored Olympians, Paralympians, and the civic leaders who brought the 1984 Olympics to Los Angeles. Let’s take a look back at some highlights.

We are proud to serve as an example of how the Olympics can make an impact well after the Games are over. Thank you to the International Olympic Committee – IOC for showcasing LA84's work!