1,000 Kids Across Los Angeles Compete In Model Olympic and Paralympic Games to Celebrate Upcoming 2028 Olympics and Paralympics
YOUTH SPORTS EVENT HEADLINES TWO-WEEK CELEBRATION OF SPORTS, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY AROUND NATIONAL OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC DAY JUNE 23
LOS ANGELES, JUNE 22, 2023– Today, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games joined local community centers for a model Games with more than 1,000 kids to celebrate the Olympics and Paralympics coming to Los Angeles in five short years. Olympians and Paralympians representing Team USA and nations around the world led kids in a parade of athletes, torch relay, sport competitions, medal ceremony and opening and closing ceremonies for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Day of Sport.
“There is nothing more joyful than watching kids play sports and seeing them embrace the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Janet Evans, LA28 Chief Athlete Officer and five-time Olympic medalist in swimming. “Today is a chance to inspire young athletes and empower them to explore new sports, challenges and strive to be the best versions of themselves.”
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Day of Sport took place at ten community centers, spanning from the San Fernando Valley to San Pedro, hosted by the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor and LA Red Shield Community Center.
Featured athletes included Olympians Carl Lewis, Miles Chamley-Watson, Janet Evans, Kara Lynn Joyce, Jason Richardson, Nick Itkin, Octavio Alesi, Patricia Freitas, Nina Cutro-Kelly, Ben Wanger, Cody Mattern, Conor McCullough, Izzy Cerullo; and Paralympians Blake Leeper, Candace Cable, Samantha Bosco, Jamal Hill, Nick Mayhugh, Ahkeel Whitehead, Robert Tanaka, Natália Mayara, David Garza and Cody Jones.
“I’m so excited to be a part of the legacy that started with the 1984 LA Olympics and the Olympic Movement by giving back to kids in the community,” said four-time track and field Olympian, Carl Lewis. “It’s exciting to see how LA28 is taking such an interest in these young people and the City of Los Angeles. I look forward to the impact this will create for many, many years to come.”
As part of LA28’s continued commitment to eliminating barriers to participation in sport, the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games provided a Gift of Sport donation to each facility, which included soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, jump ropes, cones, as well as t-shirts, athlete accreditations and an LA28 gift bag for each participant.
"This day has been nothing short of amazing to see our kids across Los Angeles having fun, playing a new and favorite sport, and having the opportunity to interact with Olympians and Paralympians," said Jimmy Kim, General Manager Department of Recreation and Parks. "As we get closer to the Games returning to Los Angeles, we are excited to see more and more of our children embracing the spirit of sport through programs we offer with Recreation and Parks."
LA28 CELEBRATES LOS ANGELES
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Day of Sport is part of a larger celebration, taking place June 18 through June 30, to highlight sports, culture and community, while creating a shared sense of pride and excitement for the Games across the Los Angeles region. With National Olympic and Paralympic Day falling on June 23, there is no better time to share the power of sport.
Celebrations include:
Juneteenth celebrations by joining the LA community at CicLAvia’s South LA route, as well as with the LA Galaxy alongside Olympian Jason Richardson and Paralympian Blake Leeper.
Celebrating Filipino Heritage Night with the Los Angeles Football Club where LA28 Chief Athlete Officer and three-time Olympian Janet Evans served as the Honorary Falconer for the pre-match ritual.
Joining the LA Sparks on June 23 for their Pride Night, featuring a basketball shoot-out with Olympians Kristy Kowal and Ericka Lorenz.
A culture collaboration with the Rooftop Cinema Club to bring a day full of sport-themed films, sport activations, meet and greet opportunities with Olympians and Paralympians and more to the El Segundo location on June 24.
Joining more than 100 small businesses at Smorgasburg on June 25 for delicious food, including tacos from LA28 Creator Joy Alvarez and the Tacos 1986 booth.
LA28 Athlete Commission Member and three-time Olympian Michael Johnson throwing the first pitch at the Dodgers game on June 25.
Joining the Angel City Football Club to celebrate their Pride Night on June 25, including pre-match activations at Fan Fest featuring Paralympian Jaleen Roberts and Olympian Isadora Cerullo.
Hosting the LA28 Career Pathways seminar presented by Deloitte* on June 28. This event primarily designed for underrepresented racially and ethnically diverse students at Cal State University Dominguez Hills in Carson will feature panel discussions with various athletes and up-and-coming leaders in the sports and live events industry, including professional and personal development workshops.
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games will close out their June celebrations on a high note, joining Angel City Sports for their 10th Anniversary of the Angel City Games at the University of Southern California. The LA28 Games are proud to serve as the presenting sponsor for the Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Game and participate in a fun-filled day of adaptive sports programming alongside Olympians and Paralympians.
For additional details on the LA28 celebration events, visit LA28.org.
ABOUT THE LA28 GAMES:
The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles is expected to host 15,000 of the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports.
The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.
*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.
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