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≡ LA28 NOW IN FOCUS ≡
The LA28 organizing committee announced Monday that registrations for its opening ticket purchase program “draw” have surpassed five million entrants, with registration still open until 18 March.
LA28 had previously only said that it received 1.5 million registrants on the first day of sign-ups on 14 January. Entries have come from all 50 states and 194 countries and territories. According to the statement:
“Fans must register at tickets.la28.org by March 18 for an opportunity to secure a time slot for Drop 1, (April 9–19), and if applicable with a relevant postal code, the LA & OKC [Oklahoma City] Locals Presale (April 2–6).
“Fans registered for the first draw will be notified via email about time slots between March 31 and April 7.”
A limit of 12 tickets will be available for the first purchase window.
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A Los Angeles City Council resolution introduced by member Monica Rodriguez on 11 February made a statement concerning the leadership of the LA28 organizing committee, including:
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council expresses concern regarding the potential conflict between the Olympic movement’s values and Casey Wasserman’s association with the Epstein files, and calls for a thorough and transparent review of his involvement in the ongoing investigations into these matters; and
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council urges the LA 28 Organizing Committee, and the International Olympic Committee, to ensure that all leadership roles are held by individuals who consistently reflect the Olympic movement’s commitment to integrity, accountability, and respect for all people.”
The matter was referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games and the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, both chaired by Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
Last Thursday (19th), both committees waived consideration of the motion, sending it back to the City Council. It has not yet been scheduled for consideration.
The resolution is significant in that it did not call for the removal of Wasserman as the LA28 Chair, indicating there may not be enough support for this on the Council. In any case, the City cannot force any decision by the LA28 organizing committee, which is a private, not-for-profit California corporation.
The LA28 Board Executive Committee made its own inquiry, including assistance from an outside law firm, and announced that Wasserman would continue as Board Chair.
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A City Council motion “establishing Brisbane, Australia as an Olympic Friendship City” was passed on 20 February by a 14-0 vote.
The motion is the first action to tie Los Angeles with the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games and to “develop extensive exchange programs, particularly those linked to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games and future initiatives.”
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At last week’s Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority Executive Management Committee meeting (19th), it was noted that Metro – in addition to its continuing lobbying for billions of dollars in Federal support for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is also asking for money from the State of California.
A 21 January request was made to the heads of the State’s Assembly and Senate committees on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a “total ask of just shy of $380 million” for money for improvements related to Metro’s Games transit plan, which will also have legacy impacts beyond 2028.
Advocacy is continuing at the Federal level, with the hope for funding requests in the Fiscal Year 2027 Federal budget, which is generally released in March.
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