The DC group trying to land the '24 Games today announced the bid's board members, with backgrounds "ranging from politics to business to food," according to Andrew Mollenbeck of WTOP-FM. There are 17 total board members for Washington 2024, including five with sports ties -- WTT Washington Kastles Founder & Owner Mark Ein; Monumental Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Sheila Johnson; Nationals Principal Owner Mark Lerner; Under Armour Founder, Chair & CEO Kevin Plank; and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Wizards and Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis serves as the bid group's Vice Chair. Washington 2024 Chair & CEO Russ Ramsey said, "We want to really have people think about sport as a common language, to bring our region together, to bring our city together." Mollenbeck notes the group's website went live this morning, and Ramsey "hopes it will facilitate participation among locals who support the bid" (WTOP.com, 9/4). DC is "one of four U.S. cities being considered" by the USOC for the '24 Games, joining Boston, L.A. and S.F. (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/4). Meanwhile, Arlington County (Va.) Board Chair Jay Fisette said that though the county "suspended construction plans for phase 2 of a park that would include an aquatic and fitness facility, county officials expect the park to be part of the plan for bringing the Olympics to the area" (NBCWASHINGTON.com, 9/4).
