Worldwide Olympics Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach says he’s not speaking with President-elect Trump earlier than leaving workplace later this 12 months.
Bach advised DPA Worldwide Information he congratulated Trump on the Republican’s election victory in November however has not sought another communication past that.
“I do not suppose it might be actually truthful or proper, with regard to my successor, to hunt contact once more now and maybe affect any choices which might be then incumbent on my successor,” Bach stated of not talking to Trump.
The IOC has its personal presidential election in March with Bach about to go away workplace in June.
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Bach’s lack of communication with Trump comes as the continued Los Angeles wildfires have put the viability of Los Angeles internet hosting the 2028 Summer time Olympics doubtful.
As of now, there aren’t any plans to maneuver the 2028 Video games out of Los Angeles. The 2028 Video games had been to be the primary in historical past during which the host metropolis wouldn’t must construct any new venues as a result of variety of stadiums and arenas within the metropolis. However most of the areas the place these venues are situated have been decimated by fires.
Olympic venues near areas affected by the fires embrace the Riviera Nation Membership, the Olympic Village, Pauley Pavilion and Rose Bowl Stadium.
The Washburn Fireplace burns on a hillside in Yosemite Nationwide Park, Calif., July 9, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle through AP)
LA2028 Chairman Casey Wasserman stated in an announcement he was assured Los Angeles would rally from the wildfires and that they might not undercut the Olympics.
“Los Angeles is outlined by its resilience and willpower,” Wasserman stated. “The power of our communities and our unity in powerful occasions make this metropolis extraordinary, and when Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028, our spirit will shine brighter than ever earlier than.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom advised NBC Information the state is “organizing a Marshall plan” to make sure the Olympics can nonetheless begin in Los Angeles in 2028.
“President Donald Trump was useful in getting the Olympics to the USA of America — to get it down right here in LA. We thank him for that. This is a chance for him to shine, for this nation to shine, for California and this neighborhood to shine,” Newsom stated.
“That is why we’re already organizing a Marshall plan. We have already got a crew trying, reimagining LA 2.0, and we’re ensuring everybody’s included.”
Nevertheless, the prospect of the town with the ability to host the Olympics amid what’s projected to be years of reconstruction has been criticized by some.
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, stated in an interview with Newsmax he believes the Olympics must be moved to a Republican-controlled metropolis and state.
“I do suppose the American folks rightly see how poorly that state is being run, how poorly these tragic fires have been dealt with by the governor and, after all, the mayor there in Los Angeles,” Jordan stated.
Burned buildings within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, as smoke from the Palisades Fireplace rises within the background in Los Angeles Jan. 10, 2025. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has additionally prompt the Olympics be moved out of Los Angeles in 2028, suggesting Dallas or Miami as the brand new host metropolis.
“The Los Angeles Olympics must be canceled,” Kirk wrote on X. “When you can’t fill a fireplace hydrant, you aren’t certified to host the Olympics. Transfer them to Dallas, or Miami, so the world’s athletes can compete in a spot able to truly safely constructing and working one thing.”
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Earlier than the fires, Bach expressed confidence in Trump’s skill to guide the organizing of the 2028 Olympics in early December.
“We’re very assured there with regard to the steps and efforts being undertaken,” Bach stated at a information convention after an government board assembly of the Worldwide Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland. “We noticed additionally that President-elect Trump repeatedly declared his help for the Video games, which we by no means had any doubt as a result of he has declared this help from the very starting.”
Bach added that Olympic leaders are “very assured and relaxed” about working with Trump.
Folks watch the smoke and flames from the Palisades Fireplace within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood Jan. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Tiffany Rose/Getty Photographs)
Trump and Bach final met in June 2017 on the White House when discussing a bid to carry the Olympics again to Los Angeles. Trump has taken credit score for securing the 2028 bid. Nevertheless, Bach didn’t communicate flatteringly of Trump after that first assembly.
“Pray for our world,” Bach was heard to say on a cellphone name later that day in Washington, D.C.
Now, Trump may have the duty of main America’s internet hosting of the Olympics after one of many worst disasters within the host metropolis’s historical past. He should make choices with none session from the sitting IOC president till a brand new one is elected.
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