In a world where access to sports and physical activities remains uneven, the LA84 Foundation stands as a shining example of how play equity can modernize the very essence of Olympism. Founded on the principles of fostering fair play, education, and access to sports for all, the foundation has left an indelible mark on the landscape of sports and social development. Established with a portion of the surplus funds from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the LA84 Foundation has been a catalyst for change by investing in youth sports programs and initiatives that reach underserved communities. This unique approach aligns seamlessly with the concept of Olympism – the philosophy that aims to blend sport with culture, education and social progress.
PLAY EQUITY: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON OLYMPISM
Olympism has always been about more than just the Games themselves. It’s about fostering a sense of community, encouraging personal development, and promoting the values of respect and fair competition. However, these noble principles are often constrained by barriers of access, economics, gender, ability and geography.
The LA84 Foundation recognized the need to expand the definition of Olympism. We have done so by addressing the root causes of these disparities by championing the concept of play equity, which emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities and resources to all individuals to participate in physical activities.
This includes access to facilities, equipment, coaching and programs that promote inclusivity and diversity. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can experience the benefits of sports and play, to improve physical health, mental well-being, social connections, and personal growth.
Play equity puts a name to a crisis hiding in plain sight. How can all kids have access, when neighborhoods of color have access to 44% less park acreage than predominantly white neighborhoods, when PE in public schools is an unfunded mandate, when many public schools have defunded enrichment programs including sports, or a vast majority of public schools don’t offer recess?
Play equity is a new narrative about why sports and play matter – how these forms of joy can unite us, and how they make society better. Most importantly, play equity is a movement we can all participate in to ensure sports and play are available to all at a moment when it’s never been more important, particularly for those among us who have the least.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SPORT
The impact of the LA84 Foundation is visible in the lives and communities our work has touched. Despite training nearly 100,000 coaches, supporting 2,500 sport-based youth development organizations and impacting the lives of nearly four million young people, there is more work to be done to level the playing field. The play equity gap is growing. This gap is caused by systemic issues, poor policy decisions and a lack of funding that leaves millions of young people on the sidelines or out of the game entirely.
One of the foundation’s most notable initiatives, the Play Equity Fund, was created as a vehicle to explore systemic issues that cause inequities. The Play Equity Fund creates opportunities for deeper engagement and long-term investments in sport and play.
The Play Equity Fund, a 501(c)3 public charity, is built on the theory that change plus charity is required to create real progress. We are guided by Martin Luther King Jr., who reminds us, “Philanthropy is to be commended but it ought not cause the philanthropist to overlook the [economic] inequities that caused philanthropy to be necessary in the first place.”
Through our initiatives, research, partnership, capacity building, and with a keen focus on advocacy, we’ve dismantled the notion that participation in sports is a privilege reserved for a select few. By doing so, we’re renewing the ideals of Olympism as a force for positive societal change.
In four short years, play equity has grown into a powerful movement. We’ve formed a partnership with Nike, ‘Made to Play LA,’ focused on the Boyle Heights and Watts neighborhoods to address the gender gap. We have awarded $770,000 in grants to 13 organizations, reached 1,000 girls, and developed a community of practice that facilitates peer learning and collaboration centered on increasing access.
In partnership with LA County Parks & Recreation, Playworks, the NFL Foundation and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, we launched the “Park On The Move” program to bring sport and play to three of the most park-poor communities in LA County. This year, over 1,000 children have participated, and over 1,200 pieces of sports equipment have been given to kids to take home. Activations held at schools, churches and libraries have increased community cohesion and well-being.
We created a historic partnership with 12 professional sports teams in Southern California after the murder of George Floyd to address inequities in communities of color. The Alliance: Los Angeles helps high school students build pathways to careers in the sports industry, as well as teaches leadership and advocacy skills as these young people address inequities in their communities.
With our Youth Development and Diversion Through Sports and Play proposal, we unlocked a $15 million public investment over three years to support sport-based youth development organizations throughout LA County via the Care First Community Investment Fund, pending a final Board of Supervisors vote.
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Peter Ueberroth once said of the Games, “We had a good x on the complexities involved and the magnitude of the task that lay ahead: to cut through all boundaries – geographical, political, religious and cultural – and to create bridges that would join all the participants of the Games.”
The LA84 Foundation’s commitment to modernizing Olympism through play equity doubles down on this notion and it sets a precedent for the future of sports and social development. Our model for play equity proves what we can achieve when we work together. It’s a reminder that the true spirit of Olympism is realized when everyone is given the opportunity to participate, to learn, and to grow.
As we move forward, let us draw inspiration from the LA84 Foundation’s remarkable journey. Let’s recognize that by prioritizing play equity, we uphold the essence of Olympism – this unending pursuit of excellence, camaraderie, and a better world through sports.
Let our legacy serve as a beacon, guiding all towards a future where sports and play truly belong to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from. A future with play equity.
Renata Simril is President & CEO of the LA84 Foundation, and President of the Play Equity Fund. Learn more at la84.org.
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