30 September 2024 – Seven weeks after the flag handover from Paris to Los Angeles during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, IOC President Thomas Bach has visited Los Angeles, the host of the Olympic and Paralympic Games LA28. He was welcomed by LA28 President Casey Wasserman and accompanied by IOC Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz, who leads the Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, as well as IOC Members Anita DeFrantz and Hong Zhang.

During his stay, the IOC President went to see the SoFi Stadium, where he toured the venue with Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the President of the Los Angeles City Council, James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood – where the country’s newest and most advanced large pro sports stadium is situated – and Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach. During the Games, a swimming pool will be installed within the stadium. It will become the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, with a planned 38,000 seats.

Outside the Games context, the venue is home to the National Football League (NFL) teams Rams and Chargers. The IOC President watched the NFL game between the LA Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, and experienced the incredible atmosphere in the impressive arena, which was packed with 70,000 people.

Following his football experience, President Bach went on to visit the Intuit Dome, LA’s latest addition to its world-class sports venues, also situated in Inglewood. During the Olympic Games, the basketball tournament will be held in the 18,000-seater indoor arena, which opened just two months ago and will serve as home for the National Basketball Association (NBA) team LA Clippers.

“These venues are impressive, the athletes can look forward to an extraordinary experience at the Olympic Games LA28,” the IOC President said following his visit. He continued: “LA28 will do what Paris 2024 did – offer authentic Olympic Games. The Games always represent the sports culture of the host country, and LA has a lot to offer. I am very much looking forward to LA.”