LA28: Nigeria starts Olympic planning early at the pre-Games meeting in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Olympics are 21 months away, and Nigeria's sports administrators want to be seen planning for them now. National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade and Nigeria Olympic Committee President Habu Gumel represented the country at a pre-Games meeting in Los Angeles with organisers, other national Olympic committees and Olympic officials.

According to a release published by Premium Times on 21 October, the meeting gives countries a chance to engage with organisers, exchange information and start coordinating their preparations. The Games run from 14 to 30 July 2028.

Olopade added that the ambition is not simply to take part, but to prepare thoroughly and compete with distinction. The NSC says it will keep working with the NOC on a coordinated preparation plan.

Where Nigeria stands

Nigeria's best Olympic hopes usually start on the track. Tobi Amusan, the 100m hurdles world record holder, is the most famous name, and we looked at her season in our Amusan 2026 review. In football, the Super Falcons have just reached the third round of Olympic qualifying after beating Comoros 7-0 on aggregate.

What to watch

Early meetings are the easy part. Nigerian athletes have often spoken about late funding, travel problems and kit issues at major championships. The real test of this early start will be whether the coordinated plan the NSC talks about turns into money, camps and competitions for athletes over the next 21 months. We will keep track.