LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass returned to Los Angeles Sunday afternoon having led a delegation with members of the City Council and other civic leaders to ensure that Los Angeles is prepared to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. During the trip, the delegation focused on ensuring small and diverse businesses benefit from the Games while generating innovative housing solutions and green transportation and infrastructure projects.
EDs: Click here for B-Roll and photos from the trip.
“The reason for this trip was to really see behind the curtain about how a City prepares to host one of the biggest events in the world and we accomplished just that,” said Mayor Bass. “I want to thank the French Government and city officials across the Paris region for sharing with us the transformative projects underway in their communities, the challenges they have faced along the way, and all of the strategies they have leveraged to host a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. It was an honor to meet and learn from so many of them, and I appreciate the warm welcome and the opportunity to learn about their plans underway for the 2024 Games and the lasting legacy they are working to bring to Paris. We look forward to continuing to engage with them throughout this year and beyond, to learn from their reflections after the Games and to plan for 2028 in a way that will generate tangible benefits in Los Angeles for generations to come.”
The delegation included Council President Paul Krekorian, Councilmember Traci Park, Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, LA84 Foundation President and CEO Renata Simril and Priscilla Cheng, Senior Vice President for Government Relations at LA28. All three Councilmembers sit on the Ad Hoc Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Councilmembers Park and Yaroslavsky serve as Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively and President Krekorian was a member of the Ad Hoc Committee when the host city contract was signed.
“The French national government and Paris city officials we spoke with were extremely helpful in sharing their experience and insights in planning the 2024 Games,” said Council President Krekorian. “Thanks to the Mayor's leadership in arranging this fact-finding visit, we're coming home with a wealth of information we can use to make the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games an extraordinary success for Los Angeles. The games can provide a historic boost to our local economy, especially for our small entrepreneurs, while giving us an opportunity to make lasting improvements to sustainable infrastructure, transportation and housing. For almost a decade I have been working to ensure that the Games will be entirely privately funded while creating a profound and enduring positive legacy for the people of Los Angeles. I am now more confident than ever that those goals will be achieved.”
"The importance of sitting down with the very people preparing to deliver the 2024 Olympics in Paris cannot be understated," said Councilwoman Traci Park, Chair of the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Committee. "From transformative infrastructure projects to minute details like signage and shading, our wide-ranging conversations were informative and generated a new sense of purpose - and direction - as Los Angeles gets ready for an extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic games."
“Los Angeles must take full advantage of the opportunities that come with hosting the Olympics in 2028, and now is the time to do it, especially as it relates to our sustainability efforts,” said Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky. “I am extremely grateful to our incredible hosts for showing us how to make it happen.”
"On behalf of LA28, I'd like to thank Mayor Bass for having me join the City of LA delegation to Paris,” said Priscilla Cheng, SVP Government Relations, LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “The opportunity to collectively observe efforts around public transportation, security, hospitality, economic benefit, community engagement and the athlete experience demonstrated that LA28 and the City remain on track to host an amazing Olympic and Paralympic Games. We look forward to our continued collaboration and are confident that we'll be ready to welcome the world to Los Angeles in 2028,"
“The 2028 Games are America’s Games – and hold the promise to leave a brilliant legacy – a mobility inheritance – for the residents of Los Angeles County, especially those whose voices, whose hardships, and whose mobility needs have been ignored and dismissed for far too long,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of LA Metro. “I am inspired by the opportunity to advance transformational infrastructure and this trip has left an indelible impression with only 52 months to go before the 2028 Games. Thank you to our Metro Board Chair, Mayor Karen Bass, for leading this delegation to Paris, and to Metro Directors Paul Krekorian, Katy Yaroslavsky, and Councilmember Traci Park for all they’re doing to ensure the 2028 Games will be a resounding success for our region.”
“I applaud Mayor Bass' initiative in leading this delegation to Paris. Learning from their experiences is invaluable as we prepare for 2028,” said Renata Simril, President & CEO of LA84 Foundation, legacy of the 1984 Olympic Games. “Los Angeles has a rich history of hosting major events that leave lasting legacies, and we're eager to build upon the tradition with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Business Development:
Discussing Priorities with Business France to Bring Parisian Success to Los Angeles – The delegation discussed proposals and priorities with more than 20 business leaders to generate business development and bolster small business growth and bring Parisian success to Los Angeles. In a roundtable discussion with French companies, the delegation touched on transportation, sustainability, sports and technology sectors and encouraged and discussed possibilities to invest in Los Angeles. Business France is an agency of the French Government with a mission to foster the business relationships of France worldwide. The agency opened a full office in Los Angeles this January.
Partnering with Businesses like Westfield to Lay Groundwork For Consumer Engagement in Major Events – The delegation joined Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield CEO Jean-Marie Tritant to see first hand how Westfield plans to activate their partnership during the Paris 2024 Games by visiting one of their retail sites to observe how they can generate excitement throughout Los Angeles for major events like the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Westfield is an official sponsor of the Paris 2024 Games, and demonstrated for the delegation how they are using their retail locations to host community engagement events including concerts and activities for young people during the Games.
Housing Development:
Examining Initiatives To Assist Parisians – The delegation toured a shelter for unhoused women in Paris’s City Hall as well as La Fabrique de la Solidarité, which specializes in distribution of basic necessities and support for seniors. La Fabrique also provides training courses for volunteers, coordinates donations of money, clothes and other supplies, and provides information and resources for members of the unhoused community. The delegation was briefed regarding how Paris hopes to confront this issue in the coming months before their Opening Ceremony.
Innovative Green Transportation and Infrastructure Initiatives:
Investing in Innovative and Inclusive Infrastructure Ahead of the Games And Beyond
The delegation toured the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Saint-Denis, Ile Saint-Denis and Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine ahead of the Paris Games and learned about their community-centered redevelopment tied to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. After the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the village will be used for housing in what will become a new eco-responsible neighborhood.
The delegation toured the Adidas Arena, a venue for the 2024 Games. Also known as Porte de La Chapelle Arena, the Adidas Arena is a newly-constructed 8,000-capacity sport and concert venue. During the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it will host badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, para-badminton and para-powerlifting competitions.
Some members of the delegation visited the City of Paris’s temporary Media Center at Carreau du Temple, which will host hundreds of non-accredited media covering the 2024 Games. Operated By the City of Paris, the Paris Media Center is designed to give journalists a window into the vibrant atmosphere and dynamism of the City as it hosts the 2024 Games. With capacity for 600 people, the media center will provide 300 workstations, two press conference rooms, interview areas, recording studios, as well as relaxation and catering areas, creating a free, all-hours, centralized location for journalists to operate during the 2024 Games.
Hearing from Parisian Leaders About their Preparations in the Home Stretch Before the Start of the 2024 Games – The delegation received briefings from Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan and Delegate General Ivoa Alavoine regarding their preparations to maximize public and active transportation, increase safety, generate economic development, and create lasting positive impact from the Games and the millions of visitors expected to arrive in Paris this summer. The delegation discussed the complexity of coordinating different city agencies and services while collaborating with other cities in the region. The delegation viewed this briefing as incredibly productive, illuminating and helpful, and pledged to continue the conversation after the Paris 2024 Games to continue to learn from their experience.
Locking Arms on the International Stage:
Signed Agreement with Mayor Karim Bouamrane of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine To Prioritize Youth, Environment, Sports, and Culture – The delegation met with Mayor Bouamrane to discuss preparations to host the Olympic and Paralympic athletes as well as the legacy the Games will leave for Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine. Mayor Bass and Mayor Bouamrane also signed a partnership agreement ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to collaborate on shared priorities for youth, the environment, sports, and culture and to share knowledge and technical exchange to learn from the 2024 Games. The delegation also discussed the development underway of a hip-hop and street art museum, L'Aérosol Saint-Denis, in the area. Mayor Bass expressed an interest in connecting local Los Angeles musicians and artists with the museum to celebrate its opening.
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo – The delegation met with Mayor Anne Hidalgo and her leadership team in Paris’s City Hall to hear about her agenda for the Paris 2024 Games, and how the City of Los Angeles can generate business development and learn from innovative housing, green transportation and infrastructure projects to prepare Los Angeles ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mayor Hidalgo has been Mayor of Paris since 2014, the first woman to hold that office.
United States Ambassador to France and Monaco, Denise Campbell Bauer – The delegation met with United States Ambassador Denise Campbell Bauer and received a brief from the United States Deputy Chief of Mission and the Attaché of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games for updates regarding political, economic, safety and consular affairs. The delegation was also hosted at Ambassador Bauer’s official Residence for a celebration of sports, diversity and inclusion. Ambassador Bauer welcomed guests from across Europe, and representatives from Warner Bros. Discovery, owner of broadcast rights for the Games through their Eurosport platform in France, just as NBC Universal owns broadcast rights for the Games in the United States. The Ambassador also hosted French athletes, government and business leaders, noting Paris 2024’s achievement as the first Games in history with gender parity in its Olympics sports program.
French Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra – The delegation met with Minister Oudéa-Castéra who has served as the Minister of Sports and Olympic and Paralympic Games since May 2022. The delegation discussed the French Government’s engagement in preparation for the Games, including their plans for security and public safety, transportation, housing, infrastructure, and international delegations. She is the first woman and the first former athlete to hold this position.
Meeting with Mayor Mathieu Hanotin of Saint-Denis – The delegation met with and participated in a tour of the Paris 2024 Olympic Village led by Mayor Mathieu Hanotin of Saint-Denis, and learned how the investment in housing and infrastructure will create lasting positive impact and generate economic growth after the Games. The delegation discussed collaboration on street art ahead of the opening of the L'Aérosol Saint-Denis museum, and learning from the regional collaboration led by Mayor Hanotin on behalf of the Plaine Commune area.
International Women’s Day Conference – In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Mayor Bass participated in a conference hosted by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, with panel discussions featuring women leaders and advocates. Mayor Bass joined Mayor Hidalgo, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, Mauritanian Political Leader Fatimatou Abdel Malick, Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, Chadian activist Merem Tahar in conversation about their journeys and advice for young women around the world.
As the Mayor of Los Angeles, Host City for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Mayor Bass has been invited to have an official role alongside Paris Mayor Hidalgo in the Closing Ceremonies of the Paris 2024 Games.
During the delegation trip, Los Angeles continued to bring unhoused Angelenos inside urgently, eliminate red tape in the way of saving lives, create a safer city, improve sustainable green practices and more:
Housing Angelenos – The Mayor’s Office conducted Inside Safe operations in Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood bringing more than 20 Angelenos inside.
Eliminating Red Tape – Mayor Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom advanced a new partnership to help keep areas near freeways clean and safe as both the State and the City continue their efforts to bring unhoused people indoors. The establishment of this partnership is a direct result of the delegation trip led by Mayor Bass and Council President Paul Krekorian, which also included Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, Councilwoman Rodriguez and Councilmember Soto-Martinez. Initiated by the Mayor’s Office, this agreement between the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation (LASAN) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will allow City crews to access Caltrans properties to remove trash and debris from areas near freeways in Los Angeles. This will be an important strategy to help make sure public spaces are clean and safe following successful operations that bring unhoused people inside. The State will reimburse Los Angeles for costs associated with the partnership in the Caltrans District 7 Metro Region.
Locking Arms To Deliver Results – The City of Los Angeles secured $9.34 million in congressionally directed spending to continue confronting the homelessness crisis and making affordable housing more available throughout Los Angeles. This is a direct result of partnership between the local and federal levels of government. The funding secured by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Alex Padilla, Representative Adam Schiff, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Representative Tony Cárdenas, Representative Jimmy Gomez and Representative Brad Sherman will fund needed livability, health, and safety improvements at interim and permanent housing facilities and build more housing on publicly-owned land.
Building a Greener Los Angeles – The Bureau of Sanitation secured a $400,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to increase composting practices and reduce food waste in communities across the city, with a focus on disadvantaged communities that already experience significant environmental impacts as identified by CalEnviroScreen.
Making Los Angeles Safer – The Los Angeles Police Department received more than 1,200 applications to join the department in January, a two-year high in the number of applicants. The department is also reporting significant increases in the number of qualification exams administered and the number of candidates participating in the Candidate Assistance Program, which provides support to eligible applicants navigating the hiring process. The increase in applications and interest in being hired within the department follows Mayor Bass’ focus on recruiting and retaining officers to the police department. Violent crime and homicides were down during the Mayor’s first year in office compared to the year prior.
Supporting Angelenos During Tax Season – Mayor Bass encouraged income-eligible residents to schedule free tax appointments at local libraries to get help preparing their 2023 tax returns. The program is run by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
Improving Sustainability – Mayor Bass announced the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) captured more than 13.5 billion gallons of stormwater, compared to 8.4 billion gallons of stormwater captured in February 2023. This is enough water to serve nearly 165,000 households for a year or equivalent to filling more than 20,000 Olympic-sized pools.