Para Climbing to make its Paralympic Debut in 2028
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass today marked 1,000 days out from the Closing Ceremony of the 2028 Paralympic Games by highlighting the significance of the Games and the City’s preparations to make the Games accessible to people with disabilities. The Mayor celebrated with Para Climbing athletes at Sender One Climbing, a family-owned business that provides a space for beginner and elite athletes of all ages and abilities to enjoy the sport of Climbing. Para Climbing will make its Paralympic debut in 2028.
The Closing Ceremony of the Paralympic Games will draw a close to the most extensive three year period of major sporting events that any city in the world has ever experienced, and Mayor Bass is committed to ensuring that these events are successful, spur economic growth and leave a beneficial legacy for decades to come.
“In just 1,000 days, we will have made history after hosting successful Paralympic Games and we will be looking forward to a lasting legacy for Angelenos with disabilities,” said Mayor Bass. “You can come anytime to L.A. local business Sender One, where climbing is all about community, and see exceptional Para Climbing in action. This is what the Games are all about – promoting our L.A. businesses and bringing the community together in the name of sport. When the torch is extinguished following the Paralympics Closing Ceremony at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, we will see a more accessible and thriving Los Angeles.”
“I’m proud that CD11 will play a major role in the 2028 Paralympic and Olympic Games,” said Councilwoman Traci Park. “As we expand adaptive sports programming across Los Angeles and celebrate equity on the international stage, hosting iconic Paralympic events in the heart of Venice is the exact image LA wants to show the world.”
“Hosting the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles for the first time will be an incredible event not just for the city, but also for millions of people worldwide who live with a disability,” said Reynold Hoover, LA28 Chief Executive Officer. “They will see their community celebrated on a global stage as we welcome 4,480 Paralympians whose stories and achievements will challenge stereotypes, shift perceptions, and inspire even greater advocacy for accessibility and opportunity.”
“This is a monumental time for the city of Los Angeles and our climbing community,” said Sender One CEO & Co-Founder Alice Kao. “Sender One is humbled and grateful to be able to set the stage for the 2028 Paralympic and Olympic Games, while celebrating the debut of Para Climbing as a major step forward for inclusivity within climbing.”
Mayor Bass has taken bold action to ensure Los Angeles delivers an accessible Games that leaves a lasting legacy benefiting Angelenos with disabilities for generations to come.
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To mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Mayor Bass signed an official Games Host City Accessibility Commitment, establishing disabled access as a top priority and ensuring that accessibility is incorporated into all Games delivery and legacy initiatives across the City.
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Mayor Bass appointed the City’s first-ever Accessibility Chief within the Office of Major Events who is developing and overseeing the implementation of a Games Accessibility Plan which will outline specific accessibility initiatives across all focus areas.
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Thanks to a $160 million investment from LA28 and the International Olympic Committee, the PlayLA program offers adapted sports at a low cost for kids across L.A.
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To execute her “Games for All” Vision, Mayor Bass issued Executive Directive 16, which mobilizes the City Games Mobility Working Group — including the Department of Disability – to coordinate the development and delivery of City projects critical to delivering a 2028 Games mobility experience that is safe, accessible and welcoming.
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The Department of Building and Safety, Department on Disability and the Office of Major Events are working together to improve the accessibility of temporary special events occurring within the City.
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The City is working to establish a cross-departmental task force responsible for improving the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities into available City employment opportunities. These efforts will ensure that considerations for people with disabilities are integrated into all facets of the City’s employment processes. This work will increase opportunities for people with disabilities, inform the perception of disability among City staff and its partner agencies, and create long lasting societal change inside and outside of Los Angeles City Hall.
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The City’s Department on Disability and Braille Institute collaborated to install Braille translation for the Olympic and Paralympic Flag Installation in City Hall.
