Freestyle BMX competitions are among those expected to be held at next year's eventgetty images
L.A. has been selected as the "inaugural host city for the World Urban Games, a new international competition that will feature nontraditional and emerging Olympic sports such as skateboarding, three-on-three basketball and BMX freestyle cycling," according to Meg James of the L.A. TIMES. L.A. Times Owner and Lakers investor Patrick Soon-Shiong agreed to "underwrite the event to woo" the event to the L.A. area, with it being held next September. Soon-Shiong "declined to disclose the size of his investment." However, he said that he plans to "bring on additional sponsors to help cover the costs." James notes L.A. "edged out a bid by Budapest," despite a reported US$10.5M pledge last month from Hungary. L.A. was also "conditionally awarded hosting rights" to the '21 Games, if the '19 event is deemed successful. The games will be held just south of LAX, and are "expected to draw 700 athletes, 300 referees and thousands of spectators to the five-day event." The Global Association of Int'l Sports Federations, which is organizing the games, said it will feature a "new generation of sports." GAISF has been collaborating with the IOC to "identify and nurture sports that are increasingly popular with young audiences." The urban games concept was "spearheaded" by late IOC exec Patrick Baumann. The World Urban Games will "include a venue for e-sports competitions." More than 20,000 people are "expected to attend over the course of the five-day event" (L.A. TIMES, 11/6).
