The Games will take place from 15 to 27 August 2028 and will be the first Paralympic Games hosted in Los Angeles. Around 4,480 athletes are expected to compete in 560 medal events across 23 sports.
Paralympics Ireland is marking the milestone on the ground in California, with a team currently in Downey for an early planning visit ahead of LA28.
Downey is being considered as the base for Team Ireland’s pre-Games preparation camp. During the visit, the Paralympics Ireland team is looking at training facilities, accommodation, transport, accessibility and the practicalities of operating in the Los Angeles region.
The visit is also an opportunity to experience local conditions and test potential travel routes between Downey and the Games venues. The information gathered will feed into planning over the next two years.
Paralympics Ireland has been working with the City of Downey, Downey Unified School District and Downey High School as part of the visit.
There is already a strong connection between Downey and Ireland. The city is named after John Gately Downey, who was born in County Roscommon and later became Governor of California. Downey and County Roscommon have had a sister city relationship since 2013.
For Paralympics Ireland, the two year milestone brings the scale of the work ahead into focus. Planning for Team Ireland’s arrival, preparation and participation in LA is already under way, and this week’s visit to Downey is an early part of that process.
