Olympians ready to take in sport's 'epicenter' in Southern California
NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - Olympic surfing is ready to grab the spotlight at the 2028 LA Olympics with a pristine venue in the heart of modern surf culture after thriving in a far-flung location for the Paris Games.
Paris earned rave reviews for its Olympic surfing venue halfway around the world in 2024, with Teahupo'o, Tahiti, praised for its days of perfect surf in the sport's ancestral home of Polynesia.
But the 2028 venue announced on Tuesday, Trestles Beach, could give competitors a greater experience of being an Olympian, just a stone's throw from their fellow athletes in Los Angeles.
"Tahiti was great because the waves were great but we were removed from 'ground zero' of the Paris Games," said Fernando Aguerre, the president of the International Surfing Association.
Aguerre told Reuters he was delighted with the selection of Trestles Beach, which beat out the other finalist Huntington Beach, with its consistent, quality waves and point break.
"Those two finalists are probably the two best, most consistent waves in Southern California," he said. "Trestles is higher quality and also has a higher likelihood of good waves happening."
Featuring in its third Games, the sport has already well-established itself on the Olympic landscape, said Aguerre, with former ISA Vice President Kirsty Coventry recently elected as the incoming IOC president.
"Southern California is where competitions, industry, some of the most famous world champions live," he said. "Contemporary surfing today, really, the epicenter in Southern California."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Rail access arrives at Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles took a huge step toward linking airplanes to trains on Friday, as the nation's fifth busiest hub joined the modern travel world and offered car-loving Southern Californians an off-ramp from traffic-clogged freeways. The LAX/Metro Transit Center is set to open at 5 p.m. PT and will connect travelers to the K or C rail lines, which can then whisk them north in the direction of central Los Angeles, south toward beach cities or east along Interstate 105. The breakthrough is an absolute necessity for organizers of the 2028 Olympics if they're going to fulfill their vow of making it a "no car Games." "This is a big day for L.A.," County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement shortly after a ceremonial ride at the new station. Hahn, the MTA chair, used good humor and invoked the memory of an arch conservative to toast this new rail option. "President Reagan once said the nine most terrifying words were, 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.' But here in L.A., we know they have always been: 'Hey, can you give me a ride to LAX?'" quipped Hahn, the daughter of late political titan Kenneth Hahn who played a key role in bringing the Brooklyn Dodgers west in 1957. "Well now — for the first time ever — you can say: 'No way. Just take Metro.' ' This option still isn't a 100% tire-free experience. Arriving LAX passengers still have to take a bus shuttle, which is set to run every 10 minutes, from the airport to the new station, which is about two miles east of Terminal 1. The LAX People Mover is being built and targeted for completion by year's end. Once the People Mover is rolling, LAX will have rail service that its peers have offered for decades. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has been rolling passengers in and out of America's busiest airport, Hartsfield–Jackson, since 1988.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Cieran Slicker endures nightmare start for Scotland as Steve Clarke's men suffer TWO major blunders against Iceland
GOALKEEPER Cieran Slicker's debut for Scotland could not have got off to a worse start against Iceland. The Ipswich Town shot-stopper replaced the injured Angus Gunn as Steve Clarke's men were forced into an early change in the June friendly. 3 Cieran Slicker kicking the ball away after conceding Credit: Reuters 3 Gunn forced to go off after just a few minutes Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 Another howler from the Scotland defence Credit: PA Gunn, who is looking for a new club after being released by Norwich City, went off following a seemingly innocuous challenge after just a few minutes. It meant Clarke had to turn to his bench. And, a few minutes later, Slicker was forced to pick the ball out of his net with one of his first touches, as his dream moment turned into a nightmare. Andri Gudjohnsen capitalised on the goalkeeper's slack pass out, rifling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box to give the visitors the lead on eight minutes. That mistake clearly dented the 22-year-old's confidence as he needlessly gave the ball away just minutes later before enduring a few other nervy moments. A few shakes of the head after the goal showed his frustration, with his arm going up to his team-mates to acknowledge his mistake. Scotland's next match is against Liechtenstein on Monday before going into the World Cup qualifiers in September. And on this evidence of this display, it is going to have to be a vastly improved performance. Clarke gave debut starts to Max Johnston, fresh from winning the Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz, and striker George Hirst, while Kieran Tierney earned his 50th cap. John Souttar levelled for Scotland half way through the first half, converting Johnston's corner with a header. Steve Clarke likes Lennon Miller's stated ambition to become one of Scotland's top players But the Scots conceded again in calamitous fashion just before the break. An Iceland corner was not properly dealt with by the defence. The ball cannoned off Souttar inside the six-yard box and then Ferguson, with Slicker not covering himself in glory as the ball crept over the line. Incredibly, it went bad to worse for Slicker as Iceland made it three and it was another goalkeeping howler. More to follow... Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Josh Kelly's and Remy Smith's doomed marriage from lavish wedding to sad split
Boxer Josh Kelly is returning to the ring and taking on Flavius Biea at the Newcastle Arena. Here, the Mirror looks back at the 'Pretty Boy' welterweight's former relationship with Remy Smith Josh 'Pretty Boy' Kelly, 31, is stepping back into the ring and taking on Flavius Biea, 35, at the Newcastle Arena - with hopes that securing a win will set him up for a fight with Connor 'Destroyer' Benn. With the former Olympian heading into his 19th professional fight, he has said he is keen to build on the momentum from the big fight - which will air on Channel 5 - and that he's ready to "enjoy" himself in the ring. "Whatever comes. I am just looking to go in there and enjoy myself," he has said. "When I am enjoying it, I am at my best, so whatever comes, I am just going to go in there and enjoy myself and forget about everything else. It is another fight, I have had 150 odd at amateur at the top level, now it is going to be my 19th fight as a pro, so it is all good... I cannot wait!" Both men are on good form, with the Romanian fighter enjoying a 12-match winning streak, and Kelly winning six fights previously - so boxing fans are bound to be in for a treat with this one. Whilst Kelly is going from strength to strength professionally - the 'Pretty Boy' of British boxing - who was previously a model - is increasingly attracting more attention outside of the ring and boasts 422,000 followers on Instagram. So what is life like outside of the ring for the 31-year-old dad of two? Here, the Mirror explores his life away from the spotlight and marriage to ex-wife Remy Smith. Early days of romance Josh and Remy - an influencer with 18,100 followers on Instagram - started dating in their early 20s, with Remy sharing a sweet snap of Josh leaning against the ropes of a boxing ring back in 2017, the same year he turned from amateur to professional. In another post dedicated to her partner in 2017, Remy captioned a sweet series of photographs of the pair with a touching tribute to Josh on his birthday. "Happy birthday to the fiancé...I just want to say I am so proud of an inspiration to so many people out there and that's something you should be proud working hard and I'll support you all the way through". Remy added: "It's only the beginning for you pbk [Pretty Boy Kelly]...thanks for making me the happiest girl ever. I love you from the bottom of my heart..." Hilariously, the couple also accidentally went viral in 2017, after a perspective-boggling holiday snap took the internet by storm. The image saw the couple standing in front of palm tree, but Remy just so happened to be carrying a handbag that was exactly the same colour as the tree's bark, which made it look like she was effortlessly carrying an entire tree. Remy took the internet's confusion in her stride, jokingly posting on her Instagram a screenshot from a Daily Mail article of the moment and captioning it: "My strength is seriously going viral now," and tagging her then-fiancé. Lavish Mayfair Wedding The pair tied the knot two years later in June 2019, in a seriously lavish ceremony. Boxing legend Frank Bruno was said to be in attendance, having been a mentor to Josh. Other big name guests reportedly included David Seaman, his wife Frankie who appeared on Dancing on Ice, as well as Ashley and Dawn Ward, and other faces from the boxing scene. Remy wore a stunning bridal gown designed by Galia Lahav with a dramatic long veil that featured intricate embroidery around the edge. Josh opted for a timeless white suit jacket by Tom Ford, with a black bow tie and smart, matching trousers. The couple tied the knot at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, a Catholic church bang slap in the middle of one of London's most luxurious neighbourhoods. They then hosted a reception for all 165 of their loved ones - per the wedding photographer, Roberta Facchini - at the elite Royal Horseguards Hotel. The photographer also revealed that the guests were kept entertained by a magician and that the dinner was accompanied by "touching speeches" adding that, "the ambience of the beautiful reception was classy sophistication with a healthy touch of down-to-earth". When it came to the flowers, no expense was spared, with gorgeous arrangements placed on every table, and an incredibly extravagant flower arch behind the top table. Similarly, the wedding cake was stunning - with delicate floral decorations on the seven-tiered creation. Finally, when it came time to take to the dancefloor, the newlyweds chose Always Remember Us This Way - from the A Star Is Born soundtrack - for their first dance before their loved ones joined them for a boogie. Growing family The couple share two sons, the eldest of whom was present at their wedding. The boxer and Remy welcomed Joshua Junior to their family in the Autumn of 2018, with Remy sharing a heartwarming post in tribute to her first born: a photo of Joshua Junior as a tiny baby cuddling up to a massive, oversized teddy bear. " Little man is one week old today and what a week it's been," she wrote. "It's been the most amazing no love like it! I couldn't have done it without you the most amazing daddy and he is so lucky to have you," she added, tagging her partner, who seemed to have been called away from the newborn bubble for a boxing obligation. "We are missing you but tomorrow is the night you get under them lights again we are so proud of you! We can't wait to cheer you on and have you home again! Our champ". In May 2020, the couple welcomed their second son: Roman Paul Kelly. At the time social distancing restrictions were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made labour for many women more lonely and frightening. Whilst Remy didn't share any details on how, or if, the pandemic impacted her experience giving birth, she hinted that it had been something of an overwhelming experience when she announced on social media that Roman had arrived. "Here he is it's certainly been a ride the last 24 hours, but our 6 pound 5 bundle of joy Roman Paul love you with all our hearts and can't wait to take you home to your big brother". Break u While both Remy and Josh regularly post their two beautiful sons on their social media - it seems the young couple have called it quits on their romance. The last time Josh mentioned his former wife on his social media was back in February 2023, when he captioned a holiday snap of himself with JJ and Roman by saying, "Love seeing my two boys growing up nothing more more sun and sand soon to and cheese these me and the wife @remykellyx live for these two little men." Remy has also changed her Instagram handle back to Smith, changing it from her married name of Kelly. What's more, Josh and Remy have also posted snaps with new partners this year, so it seems the pair have both moved on from the split. These days, 'Pretty Boy Kelly' is now dating a digital creator and founder of a marketing agency - Bego Maestro, who lives in Seville. The couple seem to be making it work long distance, with Bego captioning a post about Josh by saying, "The one who didn't want to love, is counting the days to see you again... "After all these months, the distance still makes me ball but without a doubt, having a date to see each other again makes the difference," and hinted that she was excited for the big fight, "Countdown begins to see us and your big proud of you". Bego and Josh have enjoyed a series of holidays together, heading on a luxury holiday to Dubai in recent months, and also taking his two little boys on holiday, including on a day to a waterpark. Remy also seems to have found new love, posting a series of cute snaps with her current partner, and captioning one: "Finding my best friend and soulmate in one person is truly special. Thank you for the endless giggles and smiles! I love you forever" and in another writing, "No one comes close".
