Kenyan Olympic Committee lays groundwork for Los Angeles 2028 as Africa begins qualification journey

Preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games have officially gathered momentum after the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) hosted the Continental Olympic Solidarity Forum in Nairobi.

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The meeting brings together National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across Africa to chart the roadmap towards the next Olympic cycle.

The forum seeks to strengthen athlete development, improve high-performance systems, and equip member countries with crucial information on qualification pathways, funding opportunities, and Olympic Solidarity programs available ahead of LA28.

Speaking during the forum, former NOC-K President Paul Tergat said the early engagements are aimed at ensuring more Kenyan athletes and sports disciplines qualify for the Games, insisting preparations must begin well in advance if the country is to maximise its representation in Los Angeles.

"There is immense talent in Kenya, and we want to see all our sports represented at the Olympic Games.

This is the time for athletes to begin preparing because our responsibility is to create an environment that gives every sport a realistic opportunity to qualify," said Tergat.

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The former world marathon record holder noted that NOC-K is already working closely with the government and the Ministry of Sports to ensure athletes receive the financial and technical support required throughout the qualification period.

"Hosting this forum is important because it raises Kenya's profile within the Olympic movement.

We are working closely with the government and the ministry, which will provide the necessary support and funding as we prepare for future competitions," he added.

Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnaba Korir echoed the importance of early planning, saying the forum provides African countries with an opportunity to engage organisers of the Los Angeles Games long before qualification events begin.

According to Korir, such engagements will help countries anticipate and address logistical challenges, including travel documentation and visa processing, which have previously affected athletes heading to major international competitions.

"Bringing together different stakeholders at this stage allows us to plan early and engage effectively with the LA28 organisers.

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That way, we can address potential challenges, including visa issues, before they become obstacles," Korir said.

Korir also challenged Kenyan sports federations to raise their performance standards, arguing that improved results across different disciplines would translate into more qualification slots at future Olympic Games.

"The number of Olympic slots allocated to Kenya remains limited because our overall performance across different sports is still below the required level.

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If we improve our standards and consistently perform better, we will earn more qualification places," he explained.

Beyond qualification, the Continental Olympic Solidarity Forum is focusing on strengthening sports governance, enhancing high-performance programs, building strategic partnerships, and expanding participation across a wider range of disciplines as African nations begin preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.