Donald Trump has prom-
ised that the United States
Government will provide
“tremendous support” to
the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olym-
pics and Paralympics.
The American President confirmed
that assistance would be given in key
areas including security.
Trump was briefed by organisers
during a trip to Los Angeles and de-
scribed the Games as a “big deal”.
An agreement was signed at the
Montage Beverly Hills, with the Gov-
ernment also pledging to help with
transportation, communications and
environmental contributions.
Los Angeles 2028 is due to be a pri-
vately-funded Games with a proposed
$6.9 billion (£5.3 billion/€6.2 billion)
balanced budget, with revenues com-
ing from sponsorship, television deals
and ticket sales.
However, the US Government was
still expected to contribute several
million dollars which has now been
agreed.
The Games have been designated as
a “National Special Security Event”
which prompts political involvement.
“We’re going to give them tremen-
dous support,” Trump said.
“You need the support of the Federal
Government to make it really work.”
A formal commitment to the
Games by the Federal Government
is a requirement of the International
Olympic Committee (IOC).
The White House had previously
promised to back the Olympics when
Los Angeles was bidding for 2024, but
had not yet officially agreed to sup-
port them now the Californian city is
hosting in 2028.
It followed a unique deal confirmed
at the IOC Session in Lima in Sep-
tember 2017 that saw Paris awarded
the 2024 Olympic Games and Los
Angeles the 2028 edition.
Organising Committee chairman
Casey Wasserman was among those
to meet with Trump, alongside the
chief executive of the United States
Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Sarah Hirshland.
“Our goal is to create a safe, suc-
cessful and secure Olympic Games,”
Wasserman said, according to the Los
Angeles Times.
