Abhay Singh
The Olympic flag arrived in Los Angeles on a Delta Airlines jet, carrying American athletes and officials, painted with “LA28” and palm trees, the flag will be flown in 2028 when Los Angeles hosts the next Summer Games.
The flag was accompanied by hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur’s “California Love” on the tarmac.
American organizers now really felt the “need to put our foot on the gas.”
After boarding the aircraft wearing a red Team USA tracksuit, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass raised the Olympic flag, grinned widely, and descended the stairs to meet California Governor Gavin Newsom. The mayor was accompanied by skateboarder Tate Carew, Olympic diver Delaney Schnell, and others.
Bass expressed immense pride and responsibility for receiving the Olympic Flag in Paris, stating that while Los Angeles has been working on hosting the Games, American organizers now feel the need to put their feet on the gas.
The IOC awarded Los Angeles the right in 2017 to host the 2028 Games
Los Angeles was awarded the right to host the 2028 Olympics by the International Olympic Committee in 2017, marking the third time the city has hosted the Games in the modern era.
Despite facing challenges like homelessness, LA’s Hollywood status makes it a unique and exceptional host city, according to Bass.
Tom Cruise provided a dose of Hollywood flare in Paris
During Sunday’s closing ceremony, Olympic authorities in Paris gave the American counterparts the flag.
Hollywood flare was added to Paris by actor Tom Cruise, who gave a flag reception by rappelling from the top of France’s national stadium.
As Cruise rode off on a motorcycle after the Paris closing ceremony, the action cut to a pre-recorded film showing the 62-year-old skydiving down to the Hollywood sign, where a broad view saw the Olympic rings integrated into the famous Los Angeles landmark.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings