Mayor Bass promises “car-free games” at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass promised Saturday that the city is working to expand public transit to the point where the 2028 Summer Olympics could be held as “car-free” games in the city.

She says that in addition to the new transportation options, she would encourage companies to allow their employees to work from home during the 17 days the Games are held in the region, in the hope of avoiding traffic congestion.

Bass is currently in Paris with other Los Angeles city officials to attend the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, where she will be presented with the Olympic flag before returning to California.

“As we saw here in Paris, the Olympics are an opportunity to create profound change,” Bass said in his speech Saturday. “Our top priority is to ensure that preparations for the Olympics benefit Los Angeles residents for decades to come. … We want to make sure we help small businesses, that we create local jobs, and that we create sustainable environmental and transportation improvements throughout Los Angeles.”

She says the city plans to borrow thousands of buses from across the United States to transport visitors to and from the various games taking place in the region in 2028.

“Back in LA, we're already meeting with companies, especially small businesses, to talk about procurement. And all I can say is I admire Paris' approach. She's committing that a percentage of the contract will go to small businesses here. We're already working to create jobs by expanding our public transportation system so we can have games without cars.”

While many of the Olympic events taking place in the city will only be accessible by public transportation, some of the larger venues, such as SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, are expected to offer on-site parking for cars.

“This is an achievement in Los Angeles because we have always been in love with our cars, but we are already working to create a greener Los Angeles,” she said.

She also spoke about how history will be made on Sunday when she receives the Olympic flag from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the first woman to lead the city, similar to her role in Los Angeles.

“Mayor Hidalgo is the first woman to serve as mayor of Paris, and as the first woman to serve as mayor of Los Angeles, we know that tomorrow … we will witness a historic moment when I receive the flag from her,” Bass said. “When we exchange the flag, we send a message to girls all over the world that they can do anything. They can compete for gold, they can run for office, or hopefully they will do both.”

Bass was in Paris with a number of other local officials, including LA28 President Casey Wasserman, City Council President Paul Krekorian, Councilwoman Traci Park and City Administrator Matt Szabo. Also in attendance were Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and his presidential delegation, California Senator Laphonza Butler, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and Long Beach Assemblyman Robert Garcia.

She was part of the United States' thrilling victory over France in the men's basketball gold medal game, which ended 98-87 in favor of the Americans.

Bass has been very busy over the past few days, visiting various locations in Paris to get a more comprehensive picture of what will be needed in 2028.

On Friday, she visited the Paris media centre, the Olympic Village and several sporting event venues to learn about the logistics required for stadiums and other facilities.

This came just a day after she toured the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron at the Jardin des Tuileries with Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins and George Pla, president of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission. They also visited the Hotel De Ville and Paris City Hall, where they witnessed a live fan activation at La Terrasse des Jeux, where fans from across the city could watch games together.

Bass expressed her hope to implement similar programs throughout the city for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In addition to all the events on Thursday and Friday, Bass also met with the mayor of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, Karim Bouamrane, to further deepen their previously established partnership, which will focus on priorities in the areas of youth, environment, sport and culture, at a meeting in March.

The couple also met with youth from the 100 Black Men of America Summer 2024 Cultural Exchange, an initiative that gives young people the opportunity to visit foreign countries and learn about new cultures.

She also visited the Parc des Nations in La Villette, which is home to 15 National Olympic Committee hospitality houses, including Club France. Ten of these houses offer free entry, giving visitors from all over the world the opportunity to cheer on their country and feel at home for free. Reports say that around 100,000 visitors come to the park every day.

Bass also visited Station Afrique, a space dedicated exclusively to members of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, and she hopes to introduce this space to Los Angeles as well. She says the city's diaspora communities, visitors and residents can connect with the cultures and nationalities represented during the Olympics.

“In 1984, 40 years ago, Mayor Bradley, the first Black mayor of Los Angeles, hosted an Olympic Games that continues to benefit Los Angeles 40 years later, and we want to build on that legacy together,” she said. “We are thrilled to provide Los Angeles residents with a decades-long opportunity so that their children and grandchildren can remember the 2028 Olympics as a catalyst for their family's success, and that's exactly what we plan to do.”

Bass is expected to return to America around 2 p.m. on Monday and is then expected to hold a press conference where she will present the Olympic flag and talk about 2028.