The Olympic Federation of Ireland hosted members of the California Irish Legislative Caucus and a group of business leaders in the summer yesterday for a barbecue celebrating the relationship between Ireland and California, with the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games now just two years away.

Olympians took to the stage for a Q&A exploring their experiences of representing Ireland and the wider power of Olympic sport to bring people and communities together. Olympic Federation of Ireland President Lochlann Walsh welcomed the delegation, with double Olympic boxing champion Kellie Harrington and 400 metres hurdler Thomas Barr among the Olympians speaking.

California State Assemblymembers Matt Haney and Heath Flora were among the visiting legislators, as the gathering provided an opportunity to develop sporting, cultural and commercial connections that could become increasingly valuable as Ireland prepares for a major presence on the US West Coast in 2028.

That preparation is already well under way. The OFI has selected Ovation Square in downtown Long Beach as the location for Team Ireland House during the Games, following a six-month search across the Los Angeles region. The 1,100-capacity venue will become a gathering place for athletes, families, supporters, commercial partners and the large Irish-American community in California. It is also expected to host cultural events, sponsor activity, retail and exhibitions during the Games.

Long Beach will be one of the principal hubs of LA28, hosting a substantial programme of Olympic and Paralympic competition. Team Ireland officials have already made a series of visits to Los Angeles to examine competition venues, accommodation, transport and possible pre-Games training bases. Two potential preparation camps have been shortlisted, while individual plans are being developed for sports with more specialised requirements. Irish sailors are expected to be based in Long Beach throughout the Games.

Sailing

Irish Sailing’s work on the ground — and on the water — is even further advanced. Eve McMahon won the ILCA North American Championships in San Pedro, Los Angeles, on July 17, finishing ahead of Switzerland’s Anja von Allmen and Poland’s Agata Barwińska. Finn Lynch placed ninth in the men’s ILCA 7 fleet, with Ewan McMahon finishing 16th.

The Irish sailors have remained in California for the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta, part of the Sailing Grand Slam, which began on July 19. Finn Lynch, Eve McMahon and Ewan McMahon are competing in the ILCA classes, while Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove are also using the California visit to develop their 49er campaign.

The results matter, but Irish Sailing has been clear that learning about the venue is an equally important part of the trip. The team is gathering information on local wind patterns, currents, race management, logistics and the wider training environment around San Pedro and Long Beach. Dickson described the visit as an opportunity to become familiar with the venue, understand the conditions and build knowledge that can be used over the remaining two years of the Olympic cycle.

The boat events in sailing at LA28 will be staged at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, while windsurfing and kiteboarding will take place off Belmont Shore in Long Beach. The proximity of the sailing venues, Team Ireland House and the planned Games-time base for the sailors gives Ireland the opportunity to create a particularly strong presence beside the water in 2028.

 

 

 

 

 

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Image Credit: Olympic Federation of Ireland and Sportsfile

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