LOS ANGELES — Marking three years until the 2028 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, Mayor Bass joined city leaders, LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover, Olympians and Paralympians and hundreds of youth at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum yesterday to announce that there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA – a program that offers youth and adaptive sports at a low cost for kids across L.A. Among the athletes who were present for the announcement was 17 year-old Paralympic silver medalist Arelle Middleton, who is a PlayLA alum.
Play LA is operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks and funded by a $160 million investment from LA28 and the International Olympic Committee. The funding allows greater access to youth sports programming by providing enhanced sports programs and steeply discounted — and in some cases free — enrollment.
“We’re exactly three years out from welcoming the world to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and already we have achieved an extraordinary legacy of youth development thanks to the Games,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “Just as children in parks today still benefit from the legacy of the 1984 Olympics, hundreds of thousands of families across the city have already benefited from the LA28 Games. Through PlayLA, the youth of Los Angeles have affordable, quality and inclusive sports programming. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet.”
"Experiencing the Olympic and Paralympic Games in-person is an unforgettable memory that will stick with you for life, but the tangible impact that PlayLA is having on thousands of kids across Los Angeles is a pre-Games legacy that extends beyond the framework of a major sporting event," said Reynold Hoover LA28 Chief Executive Officer. "To have one million program enrollments in PlayLA in just five years - with three years still to go - speaks to the quality, availability and desire for youth sport and adaptive sport programming."
“I’m proud of this milestone achievement for our department, it reflects our unwavering commitment to equity, access, and opportunity for all,” said Jimmy Kim, General Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks. “Thanks to the support of LA28 and the International Olympic Committee, we’re building healthier communities and expanding opportunities for every child to reach their full potential ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.”
PlayLA is one way that 2028 Games are supporting Mayor Bass’ vision of ensuring that Angelenos across the City benefit from the Games. Mayor Bass is committed to ensuring that this will be a “Games for All.” Through the PlayLA Youth & Adaptive Youth Sports Program, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks offers city-wide access to quality sports programming for youth of all abilities. Every L.A. City Recreation Center and Aquatic Center (Pool) offers PlayLA programming. With more than 40 different sport options, children across L.A. have an opportunity to thrive in their sport of choice. Young Angelenos can register at laparks.org/play-la.