By Tayo Ogunseye
Nigeria has joined representatives of nations and key Olympic stakeholders in Los Angeles, United States, for a pre-Games meeting ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, as preparations for the global sporting event gather momentum.
The country was represented at the meeting by the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel.
The meeting provides an opportunity for participating nations to engage with Olympic organisers, exchange information and coordinate their preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria’s participation underscores the commitment of the NSC and NOC to early planning, institutional collaboration and strategic engagement aimed at assembling a competitive Team Nigeria for the Games.
Speaking on the importance of the meeting, Olopade said early engagement with Olympic organisers was crucial to Nigeria’s preparations and medal ambitions.
“Preparations for the Olympic Games cannot begin when athletes arrive at the competition venue. They begin with deliberate planning, strong institutional coordination and early engagement with the Olympic movement.
“Nigeria’s participation in this meeting reflects our determination to approach LA28 with purpose, clarity and a clear focus on athlete performance.
“We want to build on the lessons of previous Olympic Games, strengthen our preparations and ensure that our athletes have the support, facilities and competitive opportunities they need to represent Nigeria with pride.
“Our ambition is not simply to participate, but to prepare thoroughly and compete with distinction,” the NSC Director General said.
The presence of Olopade alongside NOC President Gumel also highlights the importance of cooperation between Nigeria’s sports development authorities and the country’s Olympic movement in ensuring a coordinated approach to preparations for the Games.
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are scheduled to hold from July 14 to 30, 2028. The event will mark the return of the Summer Olympics to Los Angeles for the first time since 1984.
Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, making the 2028 edition the third time the American city will stage the global sporting event.
With preparations underway to welcome the world’s leading athletes, the pre-Games meeting represents an important early milestone in the journey towards LA28.
The NSC, in collaboration with the NOC, has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a coordinated preparation strategy aimed at ensuring that Team Nigeria arrives in Los Angeles ready to compete at the highest level.
