Report courtesy of USOC.
The International Olympic Committee has selected Los Angeles as the Host City of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, returning the Summer Games to the United States for the first time since Atlanta 1996. The City of Angels will be hosting the Olympics for the third time (1932, 1984, 2028) and the Paralympics for the first time.
At the IOC Session in Lima, IOC members unanimously voted to ratify a tripartite agreement between the IOC and the cities of LA and Paris, with the 2024 Games going to Paris and 2028 Games to LA. The agreement follows the IOC members’ unanimous approval at the July 2017 Extraordinary IOC Session for the simultaneous election of the host cities of the 2024 and 2028 Games.
In its final presentation to the IOC today, LA 2028 highlighted the City of Angels’ plan to create a New Games for a New Era by harnessing LA’s unparalleled creative, storytelling assets to deliver the world’s greatest sporting event in a low-risk, fiscally responsible and sustainable way.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said: “This is a momentous day for the people of Los Angeles and the United States. For the first time in a generation, we are bringing the Games back to the City of Angels. LA loves the OIympics because the Games have lifted up our city twice before. But to us the Games have always represented an even brighter future and the chance to harness the power of sport and the Olympic Movement again to inspire the next generation – for the next 11 years and beyond.”
LA 2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman said: “This 11-year agreement with the IOC is the ultimate validation of LA 2028’s New Games for a New Era, and Los Angeles’ vision for the future. As a team and as a city, we could not be more excited to be entering into this long-term partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic movements, and with one of the great cities of the world, Paris. This will be an extraordinary collaboration that secures the future of the Movement for generations. Now LA 2028 has a golden opportunity, with four more years to prepare and a $2 billion contribution from the IOC, to redefine how hosting the Games can benefit host communities.”
United States Olympic Committee Chairman and U.S. IOC Member Larry Probst said: “Today is one of the most significant days in the history of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements – and it’s one we’ve been waiting to celebrate for many years. Los Angeles’ Games plan is second to none and will have a far-reaching impact domestically and abroad. This visionary dual award will no doubt provide an era of unprecedented strength and stability for the global Olympic and Paralympic movements, and the LA Games will absolutely fulfill their promise of being a New Games for a New Era.”
USOC CEO Scott Blackmun said: “A Games on home soil is an extremely special opportunity that will allow us to grow and serve the Olympic and Paralympic movements for decades to come. We couldn’t have found a better partner than Los Angeles to give a new generation of American athletes and fans the experience of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I look forward to seeing the innovation, imagination and sustainability Los Angeles will use over the next 11 years to create and deliver something truly magical.”
Los Angeles and the USOC jointly launched the LA bid on Sept. 1, 2015, and shifted the candidature from 2024 to 2028 on July 31, 2017, after coming to terms with the IOC. Under the revised Host City Contract, LA 2028 is able to invest up to $160 million to increase youth sports access and participation in Los Angeles in the years leading up to the Games. The new Host City Contract will also provide LA 2028 with an 80 percent share of any Games surplus and an IOC contribution of $2 billion. In August, the LA City Council and USOC board approved the updated agreement.
The bid has been overwhelmingly supported in the city of Los Angeles, the state of California and throughout the entire United States.
U.S. IOC Executive Board Member and LA 2028 Senior Advisor for Legacy Anita DeFrantz said: “I couldn’t be more proud that my beloved city will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. The Olympic Games are intimately woven into the history of this ever-evolving city – it is part of what defines us. Just as we reimagine ourselves and our stories daily, we are ready to redefine the Games once again, not only for our own benefit, but for the prosperity of this critically important movement. These Games will build on the legacy that began in 1932 and was cemented in 1984, and will touch the lives of Angelenos and Americans for decades to come.”
U.S. IOC Executive Board Member and LA 2028 Chief Strategy Officer Angela Ruggiero said: “Los Angeles has always been a committed partner to the Olympic and Paralympic movements. This city – which played a critical role in my Olympic journey – is home to some of the world’s most creative, athletic and innovative people. Our diversity is our strength, and LA is uniquely and perfectly suited to welcome the world with open arms once again. It is an amazing and defining honor for a city to host the Games, and Los Angeles stands ready to surpass all expectations in 2028.”