A cinematic backdrop for Olympic sports
Another sport making its Olympic debut, squash, will be playing a starring role at Courthouse Square, an iconic Hollywood backdrop on the Universal Studios Lot in San Fernando Valley, recognisable from movies like To Kill a Mockingbird and Back to the Future.
Several urban Olympic sports and disciplines were also confirmed for the Valley – as locals call it – which will stage Olympic events for the first time. Modern pentathlon and 3×3 basketball will take place in the Valley’s Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, which was already announced to be hosting the skateboarding and BMX cycling events.
The additions to the Valley were made possible by moving archery to the Stadium in the nearby city of Carson, maximising the use of an existing sports complex that had been previously confirmed to be hosting rugby sevens (also at the Stadium), track cycling, hockey and tennis.
Harnessing California’s iconic coastline
LA28 will take full advantage of its stunning Pacific coastline, with the famous Venice Beach neighbourhood serving as the location for the triathlon (relocating from Long Beach) and the start of the marathon and road cycling routes.
Heading south, the city of Long Beach will be welcoming beach volleyball to Alamitos Beach and coastal rowing – another first-time Olympic discipline – to the Waterfront, while sport climbing and shooting (rifle/pistol) will be held within walking distance of the sea at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Further south, LA28’s surfers will get to enjoy some of California’s best waves at Trestles Beach in San Clemente.
The best of LA and beyond
LA28 will also showcase the city’s surrounding areas and venues. Shooting trap and skeet events will take place at the Shotgun Center in El Monte; the cricket competitions will be held at the Fairgrounds in Pomona; fans can watch volleyball at the Arena in Anaheim; while the equestrian events will return to their 1984 Olympic home, the Equestrian Center in Arcadia.
The city of Pasadena has confirmed that Olympic football will take place at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium, including both men’s and women’s semi-finals and finals, for a third time, following its involvement in 1932 and 1984.
As previously announced, canoe slalom and softball will head to Oklahoma City at renowned purpose-built venues.
