International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced his commitment to working with President-elect Donald Trump to prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. Despite past tensions, Bach expressed optimism about collaborating with Trump, who will be the first U.S. president since Bill Clinton in 1996—and the first Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1984—to play a significant role in supporting the Games.
Trump and Bach’s previous interactions date back to 2017 during discussions over Los Angeles’s Olympic bid. At the time, Bach could not have foreseen Trump’s second term aligning with the 2028 Games. Despite their ideological differences, Bach commended Trump’s consistent support for the event, stating, “We are very confident there with regard to the steps and efforts being undertaken.”
Speaking from an IOC executive board meeting in Switzerland, Bach reaffirmed confidence in Trump’s dedication to the Games. He emphasized that Trump had publicly backed the Los Angeles Olympics from the beginning, which Bach believes will ensure a strong partnership.
While the cooperation appears promising, significant ideological divides remain. One of the most contentious issues involves transgender athletes. Trump has pledged to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports, citing fairness and safety concerns. He has also criticized the inclusion of athletes like Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who failed gender-eligibility tests in prior competitions but were allowed to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning gold medals. Bach, however, defended their inclusion, reflecting broader IOC policies on gender eligibility.
The 2028 Summer Games represent a high-stakes opportunity for the United States to showcase its organizational and athletic prowess. With Bach and Trump signaling mutual respect and cooperation, the groundwork is being laid for a potentially successful Olympic partnership in Los Angeles.
