Los Angeles Metro Honors Gold Medalists of the Past
With the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 that took place Friday, August 5, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the Los Angeles 2024 Olympic Candidature Committee (LA2024) recently announced their own celebration of Los Angeles’ Olympic history by honoring local gold medalists from the past at transit stations throughout the Metro system.
On weekdays during the Rio Games (Aug. 5 – 19), Metro riders can meet and greet Olympic champions, see genuine gold medals, have their photograph taken with the champions and receive autographs.
Los Angeles has been an Olympic city twice, in 1932 and 1984. Los Angeles is currently vying to be the host city of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and transportation infrastructure is an important factor that International Olympic Committee (IOC) members will consider when deciding where to host the Games.
“Since the last time our region hosted an Olympiad, L.A. County has built 105 miles of modern, efficient rail transit with expansions underway that will connect to LAX and Westwood,” said Metro Chair John Fasana. “Add to that substantial highway improvements completed and under construction and L.A. has a lot to offer the IOC.”
“If the Olympic movement were to build a city on the ideals of equality, diversity, and cooperation, that city would be Los Angeles,” said L.A. Mayor and Metro Board First Vice Chair Eric Garcetti. “These champions embody that spirit—and their presence, along with the historic improvements we are making to our transit system, sends a message to the world that we are more than ready to welcome the Games to our city for a third time.”
Metro is in the midst of historic transportation infrastructure improvements. This year alone, two rail systems have been expanded, the Gold Line to Azusa and the Expo Line to Santa Monica. Three rail systems are under construction, the Crenshaw/LAX line, the Regional Connector in downtown and the Purple Line subway to Westwood, with all scheduled to be completed before 2024. Freeway improvements have been completed on Interstate 405 and construction is ongoing on Interstate 5, in addition to many other projects.
“Los Angeles is putting together all the necessary pieces to be a Games-ready city,” said LA2024 CEO Gene Sykes. “I encourage everyone to come meet the gold medalists and show the Olympic spirit that would make LA a uniquely warm and welcoming host city in 2024.”
Gold medalists will appear at the following stations. All times are 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Aug. 5 – Metro El Monte Bus Station – 3501 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte 91731
Paul Gonzales
- Gold Medalist Boxing Light Flyweight 1984 Los Angeles Games
- Val Barker Trophy – top pound-for-pound boxer of the Games
Aug. 8 – Union Station – 801 N. Vignes, Los Angeles, 90012
Shirley Babashoff
- 3-time Gold Medalist Swimming 1972 Munich Games and 1976 Montreal Games
- 8 total Olympic Medals
- 2005 Olympic Order – Highest honor of the Olympic Movement
Aug. 9 – Sierra Madre Villa Station of the Metro Gold Line – 149 N. Halstead St., Pasadena 91107
John Naber
- 4 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Swimming 1976 Montreal Games
- Each gold was won in world record time
Aug. 10 – Culver City Station of the Metro Expo Line – 8817 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232
John Naber
- 4 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Swimming 1976 Montreal Games
- Each gold was won in world record time
Aug. 11 – North Hollywood Station of the Metro Red Line – 5391 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood 91601
Julianne McNamara
- Gold Medal Uneven Parallel Bars 1984 Los Angeles Games – Score of perfect 10.0
- Silver Medal Team Competition 1984 Los Angeles Games
Aug. 12 – Atlantic Station of the Metro Gold Line – 5150 E. Pomona Blvd., Los Angeles 90022
Brenda Villa
- Gold Medalist Women’s Water Polo 2012 London Games
- 2 Olympic Silver Medals and 1 Olympic Bronze Medal
Aug. 15 – Chatsworth Station of the Metro Orange Line – 21501 Lassen Street, Chatsworth 91311
Rafer Johnson
- Gold Medal Decathlon 1960 Rome Games “World’s Greatest Athlete”
- Flag bearer for the United States team at 1960 Rome Games
- Silver Medal Decathlon 1956 Melbourne Games
Aug. 16 – 7th Street/Metro Center – 600 St. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90017
Valerie Brisco
- 3 Gold Medals 200 meters, 400 meters, 4x400 meters relay 1984 Los Angeles games
- Silver Medal 4x400 meters dash 1988 Seoul games
Aug. 17 – Downtown Long Beach Station of the Metro Blue Line – 128 W. 1st Street, Long Beach 90802
Lisa Fernandez
- 3-time Gold Medal winner Softball, 1996 Atlanta Games, 2000 Sydney Games and 2004 Athens Games.
Aug. 18 – APU/Citrus College Station of the Metro Gold Line – 905 N. Citrus Ave., Azusa 91702
Bryan Clay
- Gold Medal Decathlon 2008 Beijing Games “World’s Greatest Athlete”
- Silver Medal Decathlon 2004 Athens Games
Aug. 19 – Downtown Santa Monica Station of the Metro Expo Line – 402 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica 90401
Mark Spitz
- 9-time Gold Medalist swimming 1968 Mexico City Games and 1972 Munich Games
- Won 7 Gold Medals in 1972 – a record that held for 36 years
- All 7 Gold Medals in 1972 won in world record times – never equaled
