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DOHA, Qatar -- Los Angeles sought to allay concerns over Donald Trumps election, Paris played up its glamorous venues and Budapest set itself apart as a midsized alternative as the three cities made their first public pitches Tuesday in the bid race for the 2024 Summer Olympics.With 10 months before the vote, the three candidates had a chance to deliver their message in 20-minute presentations to the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees, a gathering of more than 1,000 delegates from around the world.The meeting occurred exactly after a week after Trumps victory over Hillary Clinton in the American presidential election, a result that could affect Los Angeles hopes of bringing the Summer Olympics back to the U.S. for the first time since Atlanta hosted in 1996.Trumps comments during the divisive campaign about Muslims and Mexicans and some of his foreign policy views might not help the California citys chances with some of the IOCs 98 members, who represent a range of nationalities, cultures and religions.American sprinter Allyson Felix, a Los Angeles-born African-American sprinter and six-time Olympic gold medalist, addressed those concerns during the presentation. Without mentioning Trump by name, her message was clear.We just finished our presidential election, and some of you may question Americas commitment to its founding principles, Felix said. I have one message for you: Please dont doubt us. Americas diversity is our greatest strength.Felix said America needs the Games to help make our nation better, now more than ever.She raised the issue of race and slavery in explaining the history and diversity of the country.Were also a nation with individuals like me, descendants of people who came to America, not of their own free will but against it, Felix said. But were not a nation that clings to our past, no matter how glorious -- or how painful. Americans rush toward the future.I believe L.A. is a perfect choice for the 2024 Games, because the face of our city reflects the face of the Olympic Movement itself, she said.IOC vice president John Coates, of Australia, was among the delegates in the audience and said Felixs words hit the mark.I did think Allyson addressed the Trump issue very well, he told The Associated Press. I think the question was hanging. I thought it was very, very well-crafted.Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat who was a prominent Clinton supporter, also took up the theme of diversity and openness, saying his city can deliver transformative games.I see an America that remains actively engaged in the world, he said. I see an America that is outward-looking, ready to play its role alongside the community of nations to address our worlds most pressing challenges.Speaking afterward, Garcetti said an Olympic bid stands on a citys own merits and does not depend on who is the president of the country.Today we just reminded people that any nation is made of its people, not one person, he said. We think that is something that, whether its Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, transcends all of us as Americans. I dont think that the Hungarians or the French or the Americans are making their bid plans based on what the national leader says.Los Angeles hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984. New York and Chicago failed in bids for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, respectively.This is our third attempt to host the Olympic Games in the past 10 years and for many reasons ... I must say this is the most remarkable U.S. bid I have ever seen, U.S. Olympic Committee president Larry Probst said. We have learned many lessons from our previous bids, and failure can be a great teacher.Paris, which hosted the Games in 1900 and 1924, has been considered in a tight race with Los Angeles. The French team stressed the bids compact nature, with 85 percent of athletes housed within 30 minutes of their venues.In Paris in 2024, we will swim in the River Seine, Mayor Anne Hidalgo told the delegates. We will travel in driverless vehicles. We will celebrate the Games on the Champs Elysees, with the Eiffel Tower and all along the Seine from the Grand Palais to Saint-Denis.The Spanish-born Hidalgo cited her own background as an example of what Paris offers.To be an immigrant, to be a woman, to have dual nationality and to be able to be mayor of Paris, this city has brought me opportunity and freedom, she said. Paris has an incredible force.Budapest, which has never hosted the Olympics and is making its seventh bid, has been seen as the outsider in the race. The Hungarians said they need to build only three new venues and will harness the city center for the Games.Most of all, they said Budapest offers something different.A Games for one midsized global city is a Games for all midsized global cities, across the world, bid chairman Balazs Furjes said. A Games in Budapest sends the message that the Olympic Games are not simply for the mega-city, but for midsize cities, too.The Doha audience included officials from 205 national Olympic committees, dozens of international sports federations and, most importantly, dozens of members of the International Olympic Committee, which will vote on the host city in September in Lima, Peru.Under tighter IOC rules, these are the first of only three presentations during the two-year bid race. The second will be at a private technical briefing for IOC members in Switzerland in July, and the third will be the final presentations on the day of the vote in Lima.Stitched Diamondbacks Jerseys . 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Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN.This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Tampa Bay RaysOverall: 90 Title track: T190 Ownership: 116 Coaching: 119 Players: 88 Fan relations: 88 Affordability: 25 Stadium experience: 117 Bang for the buck: 20 Change from last year: -45The defections of executive Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon still loom large, as the Rays finished a disappointing last in the AL East. For the first time since they were rebranded as simply the Rays, they lost more than 90 games. Injuries can excuse only so many things, as the on-field product is clearly in need of several upgrades, and many of the off-field items -- none more important than a new stadium -- are still undecided.Whats goodDespite playing in one of the worst environments, according to fans, the Rays remain one of the more affordable attractions in sports, as they are in the top 25 for affordability and bang for the buck. Their average ticket price is about $10 below that of the rest of the league, and there is a limited amount of free parking most games, along with free parking for all vehicles containing four or more passengers on Sundays. You can bring your own food into the park, but concession prices -- $10 for a hot dog plus soda -- are relatively affordable if you dont. Once youre inside, there are a number of family-friendly attractions designed to keep the attention of younger fans, including the interactive touch tank in center field.Whats badIts a chicken-and-egg scenario when it comes to ownership and attendance, which rank 116th and 117th, respectively. Owner Stu Sternberg has not been willing to increase what is already a meager payroll, often using poor attendance as a crutch.dddddddddddd Fans, meanwhile, say he needs to put more into the team before they will support with their own money. The poor condition and location of Tropicana Field do nothing to bridge the gap. The club has received permission to look outside of Pinellas County for a new home, but progress has come at a snails pace. This means the standoff between the ownerships bankroll and the fans wallets will continue indefinitely.Whats newOver the past few seasons, the Rays have been known for their overachieving group of young, likable players who, despite the size of their paychecks, were able to go toe-to-toe with the beasts of the East. They were led by a strong-willed manager who thought outside the box and was not afraid to speak out on any issue. That has all but gone out the window. Evan Longoria and Chris Archer are fine players and ambassadors, but beyond those two, there isnt much in terms of star quality. Kevin Cash, in his second year as manager, seems more likely to choose the safety of Joe Girardis binder than the quirkiness of Joe Maddons glasses, and the club fired its hitting coach, Derek Shelton, with just weeks left in the season. The result in these standings is not unlike the fall in the AL East: a whopping 44-spot drop in coaching and a 60-spot free fall for the roster.Next: Miami Marlins?| Full rankings ' ' '