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LA Mayor, gymnast Simone Biles receive Olympics flag for LA28 Games
Bass pledged to deliver a "no-car games" for the 2028 Olympics by expanding the public transportation system.
LA Mayor Bass holding the Olympics flag at the closing ceremony. / X @Olympics
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially received the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Aug. 11, marking the beginning of the four-year countdown to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Team USA gymnast Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, joined Mayor Bass in receiving the Olympic flag during this historic moment.
“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 our entire nation proud,” said Mayor 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.
Mayor Karen Bass accepted the Olympic flag from International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, who had received it from Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo during a star-studded event. The ceremony featured performances by Los Angeles-area artists Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Mayor Bass is set to return to Los Angeles on Aug. 12 with the Olympic flag. Upon her arrival at LAX, she will hold a press conference to display the flag and share highlights from her trip.
No Car LA Olympics
During a news conference on Aug. 10, Bass pledged to deliver a "no-car games" for the 2028 Olympics by expanding the public transportation system and urging businesses to permit employees to work from home during the 17-day event to help reduce traffic congestion.
"Back in L.A., we're already meeting with businesses about procurement, especially small businesses. And I'll say that that's something that I admire Paris is doing, making a commitment that a percentage of the business goes to small businesses here, we're already working to create jobs by expanding our public transportation system in order for us to have a no car games," Bass said.
"And that's a feat in Los Angeles, because we've always been in love with our cars, but we're already working to ensure that we can build a greener Los Angeles,” she added.
While most Olympic events in Los Angeles will be accessible primarily through public transit, large venues like SoFi Stadium are still expected to allow on-site vehicle parking. Bass highlighted that the severe traffic concerns anticipated before LA's previous Olympics ultimately did not occur.
"In 1984, 40 years ago, Mayor Bradley, the first Black Mayor of Los Angeles, held an Olympic Games that, 40 years later, still benefits Los Angeles, and we want to build on that legacy together," she said.
Bass will also travel to Paris for the Paralympic Games from September 6-8, as Los Angeles and other Southern California cities prepare to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.
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