LA28 Holds First Meeting with IOC Coordination Commission

LA28, the organizing committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, has held its first meeting with the International Olympic Committee’s Coordination Commission, with the IOC praising the work that has been done to date to lay a foundation for the event.

The commission, chaired by IOC Executive Board member Nicole Hoevertsz from Aruba, held its meeting virtually over two days, focusing on LA28’s vision and mission, sport and venue plans, and its brand and commercial programs, which have recently included the organizing committee’s first founding partner in Delta Airlines.

IOC President Thomas Bach joined the opening of the meeting and complimented the work organizers have done to date despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“2020 has provided unprecedented challenges to the world and the Olympic movement, but we have demonstrated that flexibility and innovation will be embraced to adapt to the new landscape and deliver Olympic Games fit for a post-corona world,” Bach said. “We have shown in recent months that we are indeed stronger together. This was uniquely illustrated in the launch of the LA28 brand last month – the organizing committee’s innovative and creative approach receiving plaudits from across the world.”

Hoevertsz said she was pleased with the progress made to date, including the recent launch of the organization’s brand and the signing of commercial partners. “The extensive dialogue we’ve had over the past two days has been very encouraging, reinforcing LA28’s determination to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave a legacy for generations of Americans to enjoy,” she said. “They’ve made a great start and, over the coming years, we look forward to working closely with them, drawing upon the abundance of event expertise within the city and utilizing the experience of those within this commission to deliver truly memorable Games in 2028.”

Last month, LA28 unveiled its emblem, which includes an animated “A” that can change from the creation or various artists to make the emblem dynamic. “Los Angeles is a city that’s always changing and evolving,” LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman said. “It’s a place where creativity and innovation thrive. As a world-class sports and entertainment city with a creative edge, Los Angeles is built to host the Games and deliver fans and athletes an unparalleled Olympic and Paralympic experience.”

During the meeting, LA28 reiterated its commitment to invest in youth sports leading up to the Games. The organization and the IOC had previously agreed to spend $160 million on those efforts, although the program has been delayed because of the pandemic.