Outgoing International Olympics Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has confirmed he will not communicate with President-elect Trump regarding the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics before leaving office. Bach stated that contacting Trump now could unduly influence his successor, who will be elected in March and take over in June.
This decision comes at a critical time, as widespread wildfires in California have raised concerns about Los Angeles's ability to host the Games. While no plans are in place to relocate the event, several key Olympic venues, including the Riviera Country Club and the planned Olympic Village, are near fire-affected areas. The 2028 Games were initially designed to be the first Olympics requiring no new venue construction, leveraging existing facilities in Los Angeles. However, the fires have caused significant damage in some of those areas.
LA2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman expressed confidence in Los Angeles's resilience, stating that the city's spirit will shine through in 2028. California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed this sentiment, mentioning a "Marshall Plan" to ensure the Games proceed as planned. He emphasized the role of President Trump in securing the 2028 bid and viewed the Olympics as an opportunity for the nation and California to excel.
Despite these assurances, some have questioned the feasibility of hosting the Olympics in a city facing extensive rebuilding efforts. Rep. Jim Jordan criticized California's handling of the fires and suggested moving the Games to a Republican-led city and state. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk also called for relocation, proposing Dallas or Miami as alternatives.
Prior to the fires, Bach had expressed confidence in Trump's leadership regarding the 2028 Olympics, citing Trump's repeated support for the Games. However, their past interactions haven't always been smooth. After a 2017 meeting at the White House where the Los Angeles bid was discussed, Bach was overheard expressing concern. Now, Trump will face the challenge of overseeing the Olympics in the aftermath of a major disaster, navigating decisions without direct input from the current IOC president.
