International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has revealed he is not in talks with Donald Trump, even as the Los Angeles wildfires cast uncertainty over the 2028 Olympics.
On Wednesday, firefighters made significant progress against the flames burning in California, but at least 25 people died and thousands of homes were destroyed in the disaster.
The wildfires are on track to become the costliest fire disaster in U.S. history, just years before the world descends on Los Angeles for the Olympics.
By then Bach will already be out of the office. The IOC president, who took office in 2013, will leave office in June, just months after Trump returns to the Oval Office.
Bach spoke openly about working with the president-elect following his election victory over Kamala Harris, but they haven't spoken since wildfires began ravaging Los Angeles.
“I don't think it's really fair, with respect to my successor, to seek contact again now and maybe influence decisions that then fall to my successor,” Bach said of his decision not to speak to Trump.
IOC President Thomas Bach revealed that he is not in talks with Donald Trump
“I don't think it's really fair or right regarding my successor,” Bach insisted.
At least 25 people have been killed and thousands of homes destroyed in the disaster.
The next IOC president will be elected in March and its first Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
As things stand, there are no plans to find a new host city despite the devastation, which has affected areas around potential venues, including the Riviera Country Club (golf), the Olympic Village and the Rose Bowl Stadium (football). ).
“Los Angeles is defined by its resilience and determination,” said LA2028 President Casey Wasserman.
“The strength of our communities and our unity in difficult times make this city extraordinary, and when Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028, our spirit will shine brighter than ever.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom said California is “putting together a Marshall plan” to make sure Los Angeles is ready.
“President Donald Trump was a great help in getting the Olympic Games held in the United States of America, here in Los Angeles. We appreciate it. “This is an opportunity for him to shine, for this country to shine, for California and this community to shine,” Newsom told NBC.
'That is why we are already organizing a Marshall plan. We already have a team searching, reinventing LA 2.0, and we are making sure everyone is included.”
Bach previously insisted that the IOC is “very confident and relaxed” about working with Trump ahead of the Games, despite previously making disparaging comments about the president-elect.
During Trump's first term, Bach made his feelings toward the 78-year-old clear after a meeting at the White House in 2017. “Pray for our world,” Bach was heard saying.