Now that the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are officially over, the Olympic torch has been handed over to Los Angeles, which will be the site of the 2028 Summer Games.
The city hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics, which was a huge success and happened during a time when many new people were moving to the area. It will look to duplicate that success four years from now.
Several years ago, Los Angeles made a strong push to host the 2024 Games, and it was ultimately awarded the 2028 event. Late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was part of that push, and in honor of his memory, his widow Vanessa revealed a custom emblem for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
We can't talk about LA without celebrating the one and only legendary Kobe Bryant.
Check out the 2x Olympic Gold Medalist, 5x NBA Champion Kobe Bryant custom LA28 emblem designed by Vanessa Bryant. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/zPVvRzun2y
— LA28 (@LA28) August 12, 2024
Kobe Bryant didn’t get to suit up for Team USA men’s basketball until 2008 in Beijing, but once he did, it was a huge honor and privilege for him to represent his country. He was a huge reason it won the gold medal in 2008 by outlasting Spain in a tense final-round matchup, and he helped it win the gold again in 2012 in London.
The Black Mamba was also hugely popular in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics, and as his widow noted, he enjoyed showing up to support the United States during other events, such as swimming and volleyball.