The reelection of Donald Trump to the US presidency may have no bearing on preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, organisers mentioned on Thursday (Nov 14), stating that the video games have been “above politics”.
LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman mentioned video games organisers within the staunchly Democratic California metropolis have been assured of working easily with the incoming Trump administration and had already been involved with the president-elect’s transition workforce.
“The Olympics aren’t about politics, they usually’re not about purple and blue – they’re about purple, white, and blue,” Wasserman instructed a information convention.
“These are America’s video games happening in Los Angeles. And it sits above politics in nearly each manner we expertise. Our conversations with the federal authorities at all times contain speaking with people from each social gathering.
“That is the character of the world we reside in. On this nation, one facet would not get to dictate every part. It requires cooperation and coordination.”
Wasserman, who was talking following a go to to Los Angeles by the Worldwide Olympic Committee’s coordination fee, famous that Trump had been the US President in 2017 when the Video games have been handed to Los Angeles in Lima.
“President Trump beforehand was president, and truly once we acquired the video games in 2017 and signed federally binding paperwork that dedicated them to ship safety and transportation,” Wasserman mentioned.
“We have had nice success with each Republican and Democratic administrations, and we’ve little question that may proceed. That began through the election course of or kind of the election cycle – we had outreach from each transition groups in order that they might rise up to hurry and get working as soon as the election was over.”
Wasserman additionally mentioned LA28 officers had no considerations about insurance policies of the brand new Trump administration – which has vowed a sweeping immigration crackdown – doubtlessly disrupting preparations for the Olympics.
“President-elect Trump has been extremely clear in regards to the accountability we’ve internet hosting world occasions, beginning with the World Cup in 2026 and subsequently with the Olympics, and the necessities that locations on the federal authorities,” Wasserman mentioned.
“Journey, safety, transportation, logistics – there’s lots that they supply and it is well-known and nicely accepted throughout the federal authorities.
“We’re wanting ahead to persevering with the excellent partnership we have had in any respect ranges of the federal authorities.”
LA28 chief government Reynold Hoover, a former three-star US Military basic, instructed AFP that Olympic organisers had congratulated Trump in a letter following his victory final week.
“We now have already been participating not solely with the Trump administration that is coming in however with our state, our companions on the Division of State, Division of Homeland Safety, Division of Commerce, the FCC – all the federal companions that we will want to assist carry these video games collectively,” Hoover mentioned.
Los Angeles officers have expressed concern that the brand new Trump administration could make life tough for town, doubtlessly proscribing federally funded applications.
Los Angeles metropolis council member Paul Krekorian instructed the Los Angeles Occasions that Trump’s election left him fearing “4 tough years for our metropolis on a number of ranges, not least of which is our entry to federal funding for various applications, and preparations for the Olympics”.
