The competitions for cycling’s two newest Olympic disciplines, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle, at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 will take place in a natural haven situated not far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles.
The Olympic Games LA 2028 will run from 14 to 30 July 2028, with the BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle Olympic Champions being crowned at the City of Los Angeles’ Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. The venue was announced last week as part of the LA28 Updates Venue Plan.
Also marked for Skateboarding Park and Street at the Olympics as well as Archery at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area is situated in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Encino. It has an established sports complex that includes facilities for numerous sports, including archery, baseball, football, golf, cricket, fishing and kayaking. The UCI looks forward to working with the LA 2028 Organising Committee to create world class and exciting BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle facilities in the Sepulveda Basin.
The Olympic and Paralympic site sits along the LA river in a valley between the Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest, providing a quiet retreat within California’s most populous city. Nature-lovers flock to the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve for birdwatching and to admire the flora and fauna. It will be the first time that Olympic competitions take place at Sepulveda Basin, which was not included in the previous Los Angeles Games, in 1932 and 1984.
UCI Sports Director Peter Van den Abeele said: “The BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle competitions at LA28 will be held in a beautiful venue close to the heart of Los Angeles. This intriguing urban-natural setting will provide an ideal backdrop for cycling’s two youngest Olympic disciplines, which were born in Southern California and are enjoying huge growth worldwide. We look forward to seeing our 2028 Olympic Champions for BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle crowned at the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.”
BMX Racing joined the Olympic programme at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and BMX Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Road and track have been part of the Olympic Games since Athens 1896, while mountain bike made its first appearance at Atlanta in 1996.