KTLA News: "Mascot for Los Angeles Olympics introduced" (1980)

[KTLA Reporter Kenneth Gale] Get used to it. There's going to be a lot of hoopla like this over the next four years, [Gale] drumming up enthusiasm for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. [Gale] One speaker after another pledged that the next Olympiad will be self-sustaining. [Gale] That is, won't cost the taxpayers a dime. [President L.A. City Council, John Ferraro] All through the discussion while we, debated the Olympic Games in the City Council, the one point that I continued to make was the fact that we would, emphasize the athletes. Not the facilities. Not the politics. Not the leaders. But the athletes. The athletes would be the stars. [No audio] [Applause] [Applause] [Unidentified speaker] But a look of dignity. [Unidentified speaker] He's emblematic of our national character. [Unidentified speaker] and so before we introduce that mascot I'd like to introduce Bob Moore, from Disney Productions, the director of, [Unidentified speaker] creativity. [Bob Moore] thirty four years and with your support, [Music] [No audio] [Unintelligible] [Applause] [Unidentified speaker] Um, [?] [Applause] [Mayor Tom Bradley] For peace and international friendship. [Bradley] Thank you very much. [Unidentified speaker] As a matter of fact, [No audio] [Gale] the purpose of this little ceremony on the steps of City Hall today was to unveil the official emblem, [Gale] and to present the mascot for 1984. [Gale] The emblem is a star in motion depicting speed and symbolizing health and wisdom. [Gale] The mascot, designed by a Disney Studios artist, [Gale] is Sam the animated Eagle. And his debut today, [Gale] was something less than auspicious. [Gale] His opening pirouette ended in a nasty spill. [Gale] It's not easy to prance about in a fifty pound costume. [Gale] Still if he doesn't have Olympic agility, [Gale] he at least has Olympian size. [Gale] He is seven foot six inches tall. [Gale] Sam and the new symbol begin touring the country today with appearances scheduled at, [Gale] local events and on national television. [Gale] As of right now, organizers estimate the cost of the 1984 Olympics will be four hundred fifty million dollars. [Gale] They say they now have pledges for a hundred sixteen million dollars from private sponsors. [Gale] For, "News at Ten," I'm Kenneth Gale at City Hall. [Bradley] for this opportunity, [Unidentified speaker] to strengthen Los Angeles. [Speaker] As you indicated, your persistence, [Speaker] it took your energy, [Speaker] to finally accomplish, this great, [Camera noise] [Speaker] and as you've indicated, [Speaker] to award the games to a private committee. [Speaker] In doing this you made sure, [Speaker] that, [Unidentified, white haired, speaker, low, partially unintelligible] at any time, [Speaker] and indeed, [Speaker] the very concept, [?] the Olympic committee. [Speaker] There will be a profit from these games, of millions of dollars. [Speaker] This profit will be used, [Camera noise] [Speaker] The United States Olympic Team. [Speaker] And to promote, [Speaker] amateur sports, [Speaker] throughout the country. [Ferraro] That these games would be financed outside of city government, [Ferraro] and that's the way it will be. [Ferraro] The city council has pledged it, [Unintelligible] [Rattling sound] [Unidentified speaker] It's now my pleasure to introduce the President, [Speaker] of the Los Angeles City Council, [Ferraro] Y'all know Rafer was gold medalist in 1960 and silver medalist in 1956 in the decathlon. [Mariachi music] [Unintelligible conversation] [Reporter] Over here! [Reporters talking over each other, unintelligible] [Reporter] We want to see the Eagle. [Reporter] Turn around. [Camera noise] [Applause] [Mariachi music] [Ferraro] Belongs to the City of Los Angeles. Moscow is a thing of the past. We have four years look, looking forward to the games in 1984. And our total emphasis, will be on the athletes. The participants, the representatives of the world who have worked hard and did it diligently, to become prepared for the Olympic, happy to join with all of you today, on this unveiling of the, new logo, and a little later, of the mascot. [Ferraro] people of the City of Los Angeles, [Music] [Gale] As of now, organizers estimate the 1984 Olympics will cost four hundred fifty million dollars. [Gale] They say they now have raised pledges for a hundred sixteen million dollars from private sponsors. [Gale] And the city has a law passed by the people in 1978, [Gale] that says there can be no city money's used to sponsor the organized, aw,