Olympics chief Thomas Bach reveals Donald Trump stance as Los Angeles wildfires threaten 2028 Games
International Olympics Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has revealed he is not in discussions with Donald Trump – even as the Los Angeles wildfires cast uncertainty over the 2028 Olympics.
On Wednesday, firefighters made significant gains against the flames burning around California but at least 25 people have been killed – and thousands of homes destroyed – in the disaster.
The wildfires are on course to become America’s costliest fire disaster in history – a few years before the world is set to descend on Los Angeles for the Olympic Games.
Bach will be out of the office by then. The IOC president – who took charge in 2013 – is leaving his role in June, a few months after Trump returns to the Oval Office.
Bach opened up about working with the president-elect following his election win over Kamala Harris but they have not spoken since the wildfires began to raze Los Angeles.
‘I don’t think it would be really fair or right, with regard to my successor, to seek contact again now and perhaps influence any decisions that are then incumbent on my successor,’ Bach said about his decision not to speak to Trump.
IOC president Thomas Bach has revealed he is not in discussions with Donald Trump
‘I don’t think it would be really fair or right, with regard to my successor,’ Bach insisted
At least 25 people have been killed – and thousands of homes destroyed – in the disaster
The next IOC president will be elected in March and their first Games will come in Los Angeles in 2028.
As it stands, there are no plans to find a new host city despite the devastation, which has affected areas around the prospective venues – including Riviera Country Club (golf), the Olympic Village and Rose Bowl Stadium (soccer).
‘Los Angeles is defined by its resilience and determination,’ LA2028 chairman Casey Wasserman said.
‘The strength of our communities and our unity in tough times make this city extraordinary, and when Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028, our spirit will shine brighter than ever before.’
Governor Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, said California is ‘organizing a Marshall plan’ to make sure LA will be ready.
‘President Donald Trump was helpful in getting the Olympics to the United States of America — to get it down here in LA. We thank him for that. This is an opportunity for him to shine, for this country to shine, for California and this community to shine,’ Newsom told NBC.
‘That’s why we’re already organizing a Marshall plan. We already have a team looking, reimagining LA 2.0, and we’re making sure everyone’s included.’
Bach previously insisted that the IOC is ‘very confident and relaxed’ about working with Trump ahead of the Games – despite previously making disparaging comments about the president-elect.
During Trump’s first term, Bach made his feelings clear about the 78-year-old following a meeting at the White House in 2017. ‘Pray for our world,’ Bach was heard to say.
