Politics

# LA28: Nigeria joins Olympic officials at pre-Games meeting in Los Angeles

The National Sports Commission and Nigeria Olympic Committee say early planning and coordination will be central to Nigeria’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria has joined representatives of national Olympic committees and other Olympic officials in Los Angeles, United States, for a pre-Games meeting ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

The meeting provides an opportunity for participating nations to engage with organisers, exchange information and begin coordinating their preparations for the Games.

Speaking on Nigeria’s participation, Mr Olopade said early engagement with Olympic organisers was essential to the country’s ambition to improve its performance at LA28.

“Preparations for the Olympic Games cannot begin when athletes arrive at the competition venue. They begin with deliberate planning, strong institutional coordination and early engagement with the Olympic movement. Nigeria’s participation in this meeting reflects our determination to approach LA28 with purpose, clarity and a clear focus on athlete performance.

“We want to build on the lessons of previous Olympic Games, strengthen our preparations and ensure that our athletes have the support, facilities and competitive opportunities they need to represent Nigeria with pride. Our ambition is not simply to participate, but to prepare thoroughly and compete with distinction,” he said.

The joint participation of the NSC and NOC leadership also highlights the importance of coordination between the country’s sports development authorities and its Olympic movement as preparations gather pace.

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are scheduled to hold from 14 to 30 July 2028. It will be the third time Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics, having previously staged the Games in 1932 and 1984.

The NSC said it would continue to work with the NOC to develop a coordinated preparation plan aimed at ensuring that Team Nigeria is ready to compete at the highest level in Los Angeles.