LA28 Proposes Moving Diving Event to Pasadena

The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games has proposed the relocation of diving to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena and asked for approval from the Los Angeles City Council on the decision.

The venue plan for LA28 had diving being held at the 1932 Pool in the Exposition Park Zone. LA28 says the potential move would achieve up to $17.6 million in combined savings and revenue growth. Any changes to the venue proposal for LA28 must be approved by the city.

LA28 said in its proposal to the City Council that the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center offers an existing pool that meets Olympic diving standards and requires fewer improvements to host diving in 2028.

It also said in the proposal that World Aquatics told organizers that the Exposition Park outdoor pool did not meet Olympic diving standards. The pool in Exposition Park, located next to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was constructed for the 1932 Games and hosted diving, swimming, water polo and the swim event for the modern pentathlon.

LA28 said in its proposal to City Council that the venue “would require a complete reconstruction in order to meet Olympic standards. Futhermore, this construction cannot occur simultaneously with the LA Memorial Coliseum track construction projects due to limited space within the surrounding footprint.”

“This presents a significant opportunity to deliver successful marquee events, with greater budget certainty, while also ensuring an exceptional competition venue for our diving athletes, with their safety remaining our top priority,” said Reynold Hoover, LA28 chief executive officer. “The decision to stage diving at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is beneficial on all fronts and we’re grateful to our host city and venue city partners for their unwavering support and collaboration as we finalize the 2028 Games plan.”