The reelection of Donald Trump to the US presidency can have no bearing on preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, organisers stated on Thursday (Nov 14), stating that the video games had been “above politics”.
LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman stated video games organisers within the staunchly Democratic California metropolis had been assured of working easily with the incoming Trump administration and had already been involved with the president-elect’s transition crew.
“The Olympics aren’t about politics, they usually’re not about crimson and blue – they’re about crimson, white, and blue,” Wasserman advised a information convention.
“These are America’s video games happening in Los Angeles. And it sits above politics in nearly each method we expertise. Our conversations with the federal authorities at all times contain speaking with of us from each get together.
“That is the character of the world we dwell in. On this nation, one facet would not get to dictate every little thing. 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 had 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 stated.
“We have had nice success with each Republican and Democratic administrations, and now we have little question that may proceed. That began throughout the election course of or form of the election cycle – we had outreach from each transition groups in order that they might stand up to hurry and get operating as soon as the election was over.”
Wasserman additionally stated 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 now we have 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 stated.
“Journey, safety, transportation, logistics – there’s lots that they supply and it is well-known and effectively accepted throughout the federal authorities.
“We’re trying ahead to persevering with the superb partnership we have had in any respect ranges of the federal authorities.”
LA28 chief government Reynold Hoover, a former three-star US Military basic, advised 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’ll want to assist carry these video games collectively,” Hoover stated.
Los Angeles officers have expressed concern that the brand new Trump administration might make life troublesome for town, doubtlessly limiting federally funded packages.
Los Angeles metropolis council member Paul Krekorian advised the Los Angeles Instances that Trump’s election left him fearing “4 troublesome years for our metropolis on a number of ranges, not least of which is our entry to federal funding for various packages, and preparations for the Olympics”.