THE campuses of Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, and University of California-Los Angeles will most likely serve as the base camp of the Philippine delegation when they train and prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Chef de mission Ricky Vargas said this after he went on a three-day visit to Los Angeles to scout for potential training facilities, hospitality venues, and accommodations for the Philippine contingent.
“We’ve done the first round. In February, we’ll do another round and hope to finalize details,” said Vargas.
He added he and his team of coordinators are doing the same prep work when the Philippines prepared for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the Philippine Olympic Committee using Metz to set up camp before the games.
Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, and UCLA offer world-class facilities that will serve the needs of Filipino athletes, according to Vargas.
UCLA has sprawling 400-acre campus, which will house around 80-percent of the Olympic Village.
Vargas said there are plans to bring a delegation of 20 to 25 athletes, along with their coaches and trainers, to camp in Los Angeles.
This will happen a month before the Games to maximize the preparations, and fasttrack their acclimatization.
Vargas added that he also inspected potential hospitality and event centers for the POC, where guests and supporters may be hosted during the games.
The Petersen Automotive Museum and the Film Academy Museum are among the venues that will be tapped, while 20 hotel rooms are also set to be booked in a central location to house key officials and staff.
