Photos courtesy of Getty Images and LA28
 

LA28 WELCOMES OFFICIAL OLYMPIC FLAG

FROM PARIS TO LOS ANGELES

WHAT                   On Monday, August 12, the official Olympic Flag returned to Los Angeles for the first time in 40 years via a flight from LA28 founding partner Delta Air Lines. Following the LA28 Handover at the Closing Ceremony in Paris, this exciting journey from one iconic city to the next provided a taste of what’s to come from the LA28 Games.

The arrival marks a new chapter in LA28’s commitment to Team USA, Partners, and the city of LA for a successful, responsible and unforgettable Games that is sure to excite the next generation of fans, while celebrating the people and communities of Los Angeles. 

WHO                     The Olympic flag was transported from the flight by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman, and Team USA Olympians Tate Carew (Skateboarding), Micah Ma’a (Volleyball) and Delaney Schnell (Diving). The group was then met on the tarmac by California Governor Gavin Newsom; Reynold Hoover, LA28 Chief Executive Officer; and Janet Evans, LA28 Chief Athlete Officer.

                            Also in attendance were Team USA athletes, local Elected officials and LA28, USOPC and Delta executives.

WHERE               Los Angeles International Airport | 1 World Way,
Los Angeles, CA 90045

ABOUT THE LA28 HANDOVER CELEBRATION

• The LA28 Handover celebration took place at the finale of the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony and was headlined by Team USA Olympians and a blockbuster lineup of California-based music artists.
• The Olympic flag was passed from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to City of LA Mayor Karen Bass and representing the United States, the most decorated U.S. female gymnast of all time Simone Biles.
  • Mayor Bass made history tonight as the first Black woman Mayor to receive the official Olympic flag during a Closing Ceremony
• Grammy, Academy and Emmy Award-winning music artist H.E.R. performed the U.S. national anthem live from Stade de France Paris at the Closing Ceremony.
• In an epic stunt by Tom Cruise and in an action sequence with a bit of Hollywood magic, the Olympic flag was paraded thru the streets of Paris and delivered to Los Angeles, to Team USA Olympians, including:
  • Mountain biker Kate Courtney racing through the mountains to LA landmarks to hand off the flag at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Track and field legend Michael Johnson receives the flag at the Coliseum and runs it through LA neighborhoods
  • The flag is handed off at the beach to 2x Olympic medalist skateboarder Jagger Eaton, where the world’s biggest beach party celebration kicks off
• At the celebration, musical performances included:
  • Grammy Award-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers got the crowd moving with a high-energy performance of their hit “Can’t Stop” against the scenic backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the LA28 Handover emblem.
  • Grammy and Academy Award-winning Billie Eilish took in the beach vibes with a performance of “Birds of a Feather” from her latest album from the top of a lifeguard tower.
  • Styled in an Olympics-inspired suit, Southern California music icon and correspondent for NBCUniversal at the Paris Olympics Snoop Dogg performed his hit song “Drop It Like It’s Hot” against the backdrop of two giant sand dogs and a sculpture of his own custom LA28 emblem.
  • Snoop then took to the stage for a show-stopping surprise performance of “The Next Episode” with rap legend and surprise artist Dr. Dre.
• The Handover celebration, in which LA28 introduced itself to the world, brought together LA’s culture of entertainment, diversity and creativity, with sport at the core.
• The primetime presentation of the Closing Ceremony aired at 7 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.
• The celebration was produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, under the creative direction of Emmy Award-winning executive producer and creator Ben Winston.

NEW DETAILS: “COUNTDOWN TO LA28”

• Autodesk’s “Countdown to LA28” presented by Visit California aired at the conclusion of tonight’s re-air of the Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony and continued the excitement and anticipation for LA28.
• “Countdown to LA28” was hosted by five-time Olympic medalist, tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams.
• Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kobe Bryant’s custom LA28 emblem designed by Vanessa Bryant was revealed.
• Additional musical performances included:
  • “Gin and Juice” and “What’s my name” by Snoop Dogg
  • “The Greatest” by Billie Eilish
  • “Eddie” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Throughout “Countdown to LA28,” Venus Williams brought viewers close to the participating talent and a group of special guest athletes through interviews from the beach. Special guests included Olympic legends Carl Lewis and Sugar Ray Leonard, plus USA Water Polo Hall of Famer Brenda Villa and Paralympic swimmer and five-time medalist Rudy Garcia-Tolson.

QUOTE RE: CLOSING CEREMONY FROM CITY OF LOS ANGELES MAYOR KAREN BASS

• “It was an immense honor to participate in this moment of history and it was such a privilege to stand with Simone Biles – someone who has made the entire country proud,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “It's my hope that when girls around the world watched the first woman Mayor of Paris officially hand off the flag to the first woman Mayor of Los Angeles, they were inspired. Together, we sent the message to girls all around the world that they can do anything — they can run for gold and they can run for office. I want to recognize the City of Paris and Mayor Hidalgo for being such extraordinary hosts. Tonight, we exchanged more than just the flag, we sent a message all across the world. Now, it’s time for Los Angeles to show the world just how special our city is, and to host the most impactful Olympic and Paralympic Games yet that focus on helping local small businesses, creating local jobs and creating lasting environmental and transportation improvements throughout Los Angeles that generate tangible benefits to Angelenos for generations to come.”

LA28 HANDOVER RELEASE QUOTES (FROM 8/10)

• “The countdown to LA28 begins with the Paris Closing Ceremony,” said Molly Solomon, Executive Producer, and President, NBC Olympics Programming. “As we conclude one of the most spectacular Olympic Games ever, Paris will hand over the Olympic flag to Los Angeles, who gets things started with a powerhouse lineup of musical superstars that will rock the world. But the party doesn’t stop there. After the Closing Ceremony, LA28 is inviting America to watch the world’s biggest beach party on NBC and Peacock.”
• “The LA28 Handover promises to showcase the heartbeat of LA — which like the Olympics — is where people come from all over the world to pursue their dreams,” said Executive Director and Creator of Fulwell 73 Productions Ben Winston. “We hope to showcase a collection of Los Angeles stories – featuring the city’s people, creativity, music and of course sport, all wrapped up with a little Hollywood magic – to invite the world into the LA28 Games.” 
• "This is the biggest moment in LA28 history to date, as the Olympic flag passes from Paris to LA,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. “We are thrilled to feature the very best of LA with local artists and are grateful to Billie, H.E.R., the Chili Peppers and Snoop for their collaboration on what will be an incredible show to a global audience that will give fans a taste of what’s to come in 2028.” 

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