Olympics
Fears for LA 28 Olympics over California wildfires!
The devastating California wildfires are both destroying neighbourhoods and raising alarm bells for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Organising Committee.
With the Riviera Country Club and Sepulveda Basin under threat, the challenges of ensuring the Games’ safety are becoming increasingly apparent.
Los Angeles, one of the United States’ most iconic cultural and sporting hubs, is enduring what can only be described as a living nightmare.
Since Tuesday, 7 January, a massive wildfire has ravaged the region, destroying homes, landmarks, and now, alarmingly, some of the facilities planned for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Worse still, the death toll from California’s fires has risen to 11, with over 35,000 hectares reduced to ash.
With six active firefronts, the destruction has spread citywide. Local authorities report mass evacuations, with critical structures under threat. Yet, amid the immediate chaos, there lies a longer-term concern—one that mobilised multiple agencies: the fate of LA 2028.
The Games, intended to leave a lasting legacy, are now facing a very literal trial by fire
Among the most affected areas is the prestigious Riviera Country Club, slated to host the Olympic golf tournament.
Initially, outside the evacuation zones, the rapid spread of the Palisades fire, driven by winds reaching 100 mph (160 km/h), placed the club squarely within the danger zone.
Flames now encircle the area, which also borders natural landmarks like Topanga State Park, itself under threat.
Another critical site is the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, set to host archery, BMX, and skateboarding events.
While local firefighters reported no structural damage or injuries so far, the situation remains volatile, with conditions that could change in an instant.
The risk is not confined to these venues. The historic Rose Bowl Stadium, scheduled to host football matches during the Games, is also within an evacuation protocol zone in Pasadena.
Beyond the Olympic venues, the environmental crisis deeply impacted athletes and professional teams across various leagues.
Many affected areas are home to current and former athletes, including ex-Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., who lost his house and 10 Olympic medals in the Palisades fire.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard returned to Los Angeles to support his family following their evacuation.
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Steve Kerr lost his childhood home, though his mother was rescued in time.
Both the NBA and NFL issued statements of solidarity with those affected.
Coaches like Lakers’ JJ Redick have seen their homes consumed by flames, highlighting that the sport, despite its global prominence, is not immune to the tragedies that devastate its surrounding communities.
For its part, the NFL decided to relocate the ‘wild card’ game between the Vikings and the Rams from Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona, due to the uncontrolled flames.
The Rams, who had to halt their training sessions after new flare-ups in West Hills, were unable to resume practice. This isn’t the first time wildfires disrupted the league.
Back in 2003, the Chargers were also forced to move a game to Arizona under similar circumstances.
“The entire NBA and NBPA family extends its thoughts and support to the Los Angeles community during these challenging times.
“We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have shown incredible bravery.
“Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the fires,” expressed on Thursday by the NBA regarding support for the victims.
The Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committee also addressed the situation on social media, expressing gratitude to firefighters, volunteers, and other groups committed to recovery efforts.
They’ve shared resources to assist those in need, including the American Red Cross Los Angeles, the LAFD Foundation, the California Firefighters Foundation, and Airbnb’s Emergency Housing Assistance for those displaced by the fires.
Nevertheless, the disaster raises deeper questions. With just over three years until the Olympic torch lights up the city, doubts linger.
Can LA 2028 ensure the safety of its venues in a region increasingly vulnerable to wildfires? How will this catastrophe influence the event’s planning and global perception?
As the flames continue to consume hectares across Los Angeles, the road to the 2028 Olympic Games faces an unprecedented challenge.
But if there’s one thing this city is known for, it’s its ability to rise from the ashes—a spirit the organisers hope to channel into an event destined to be unforgettable.
-Inside The GamesFollow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s men’s and women’s flag football teams made history in Cairo by clinching gold at the first-ever IFAF African Flag Football Championships, a landmark moment in the sport’s journey towards its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
In a thrilling men’s final at Club One Stadium in Maadi, Nigeria edged host nation Egypt 13-12 before a lively home crowd. The match was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi.
The Nigerian women’s team also delivered a commanding performance in their final, defeating Morocco 26-12. Quarterback Anuoluwapo Bello led the charge with two decisive touchdowns in the second half, securing the title and underscoring Nigeria’s growing dominance in the sport.
Tunisia (men) and Egypt (women) took home bronze medals, completing the continent’s first-ever flag football championship podiums.
Africa Makes History
The two-day tournament (June 20–21, 2025), organized under the auspices of the Egyptian Federation of American Football, featured 11 teams from eight nations. It marked the opening event of IFAF’s 2025 Continental Championship Series, the most expansive competition cycle in flag football history, culminating in LA28.
As newly crowned African champions, both Nigerian teams earned automatic qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. The competition also saw 10 national teams receive their first-ever official world rankings.
Emotional Reactions from Champions and Rivals
“This is a great achievement for us and I’m proud of every woman here,” said Nigeria’s women’s quarterback Anuoluwapo Bello. “I’m excited for the opportunity to go to the World Championships and show everyone what we can do.”
“It’s amazing, surreal, historic and unbelievable,” added Nigeria’s men’s quarterback Hayes Obinna-Uzoh. “We’ve made history.”
Egypt’s men’s quarterback Mahmoud Aboushady praised the passionate home support: “We gave it our all but just came up short. The crowd was incredible — a big turnout, all cheering — and that was really touching.”
Morocco’s women’s centre Sonia Mouimen also reflected on the atmosphere: “We rarely see crowds this size making so much noise outside of soccer matches. I’m very proud of my team.”
NFL and IFAF: Partners in Growth
Flag football, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, is expanding rapidly across Africa. Many IFAF member federations recorded more than 100% growth in participation last year.
The Cairo event was organized in partnership with the NFL, which is working with IFAF to build a sustainable development pathway for the sport across the continent.
Alongside the main competition, the NFL hosted a series of legacy-building activities:
- A continental youth flag football championship for U12 boys and girls
- A talent ID camp offering routes into the NFL Africa-Europe Academy and the International Player Pathway (IPP) program
- A coaching education clinic for aspiring female coaches, featuring IFAF Global Flag Ambassador Elisa De Santis (France)
Star NFL players of African descent, Bobby Okereke (New York Giants, Nigeria) and Tanoh Kpassagnon (Cote d’Ivoire/Uganda), were present in Cairo, joined by two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora, the NFL’s Africa lead.
“The first African Continental Championship was a tremendous success, and Egypt proved to be the perfect host,” said Umenyiora. “It was inspiring to see nations from across the continent come together and showcase their incredible talent.”
Looking Ahead
IFAF President Pierre Trochet hailed the championship as a foundational moment:
“Every player and official who set foot on the field in Cairo this week can claim a piece of history. More important than the history is the future. We are committed, alongside the NFL, to using this tournament as a springboard for long-term growth.”
Egyptian Federation President Ali Rafeek echoed the sentiment:
“No words can truly capture the emotion of this moment. It was a world-class competition filled with outstanding performances and incredible energy. Africa is officially on the flag football map.”
The event also marked the beginning of IFAF’s partnership with the International Testing Agency, which launched anti-doping education initiatives for athletes and officials during the championship.
The IFAF Continental Flag Football series continues later this year with EURO FLAG 2025 in Paris, France.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive banning citizens from 12 countries from entering the U.S. exempts athletes, and LA28 officials said on Thursday they were confident the Games had the full backing of the administration.
Trump signed the proclamation on Wednesday as part of an immigration crackdown he said was needed to protect against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.
The Sports Village Square newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.
“The important thing for us is that the federal government and this administration recognized the importance of the Olympics and the Games,” LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover told Reuters on Thursday.
“There is a carve-out in the order in the travel ban that allows for and assures that there will be access to the Games for the athletes and their families and officials.
“We will be able to have a wide-open Games.”
The countries affected by the latest travel ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The entry of people from seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela – will be partially restricted.
Casey Wasserman, the chairman of LA28, the private, non-profit company organizing the Games, said he had “great confidence” that the positive working relationship with the administration would continue.
“It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration, and I want to thank the federal government for recognizing that,” he told a press conference after hosting International Olympic Committee officials in Los Angeles.
Wasserman added that he did not anticipate the travel ban to have any impact on ticket sales, which will begin next year.
The U.S. along with Canada and Mexico will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and Trump said during a task force meeting last month that he wanted people traveling to the U.S. to watch that competition to have a seamless experience during their visit.
“At the White House task force the president, the vice president, all of the administration officials said, ‘We welcome the world to come to FIFA,’” Hoover said.
“I think the administration is welcoming the world to come to LA.”
Hoover said LA28 continues to forge ties with the administration ahead of the mega-sporting event, now just over three years away.
“We have direct communication with the White House through the chief of staff, we have direct communication with the Department of State, and we are working with the State Department to have embedded teams to coordinate visa access,” he said.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will feature an increase in women’s soccer teams from 12 to 16, while the men’s competition will be downsized from 16 to a dozen teams, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday.
The decision was part of several changes to the Olympic event programme, including more mixed events across various sports and all team sports featuring at least the same number of women’s and men’s teams.
The IOC said the reason for the sharp increase in women’s soccer teams was the rapidly growing popularity of women’s team sports, especially in the United States, and that change in the competition format reflected that rapid growth.
“We wanted to do something to reflect that growth and equally with the United States being the home of the highest level of popularity of women’s football,” IOC sports director Kit McConnell told a press conference.
He said the IOC had discussed the issue with both LA Games organisers and world soccer’s governing body FIFA before going through with the changes.
The total number of players — men’s and women’s — would not change.
The United States, who will also host the 2026 men’s and the 2031 women’s World Cup, have won five Olympic gold medals in the women’s competition.
The men’s teams use mostly under-23 players at Olympic Games.
The LA Games will have a total of 351 medal events in all sports, 22 more than at Paris 2024 Olympics.
Several sports, including archery, athletics, golf and gymnastics will be adding new mixed-team events, with the total number of athletes unchanged at 10,500.
The five sports proposed by the LA Games organising committee — baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse and squash — will have an extra 698 quota places.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY4 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- WAFCON2 days ago
Nigeria, Tunisia Set for High-Stakes WAFCON 2024 Clash in Casablanca
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY4 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY4 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL3 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football