Trump Invites President Ruto to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

United States President Donald Trump has invited Kenyan President William Ruto to attend the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The invitation was issued at a White House ceremony marking the signing of a peace accord between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the event, Trump praised Kenya’s strong record in athletics, noting the country’s consistent success in Olympic track events. 

He said Ruto would be welcomed as a guest when the Games open in Los Angeles. The 2028 Olympics will be the third Summer Games hosted by Los Angeles, following previous editions in 1932 and 1984. It will also be the first time the city hosts the Paralympic Games. 

The Olympic opening ceremony is set for 14 July 2028, with competitions running until 30 July. The Paralympics will follow from 22 August to 3 September, beginning with their own opening ceremony on 15 August.

Preparations for LA28 are being shaped around Los Angeles’ identity and cultural diversity. Casey Wasserman, chair of the organising committee, has said the city’s ambition and sense of possibility will guide the event’s presentation. 

The programme will expand beyond the 40 sports held in Paris in 2024. Six additional disciplines will be included in Los Angeles, among them the Olympic debuts of flag football and squash. Baseball, softball, lacrosse and cricket will also return. The broader schedule is intended to widen the event’s appeal and highlight the evolving direction of Olympic competition.

Kenya is expected to send a strong team, particularly in middle- and long-distance events where the country has long excelled. Their athletes will be closely followed for both medal prospects and their continued influence in global athletics.

Before LA28, the United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That tournament faces challenges linked to immigration and travel rules, raising concerns about visitor mobility. In contrast, officials are positioning the Olympics as an opportunity for the US to present a more open and celebratory international atmosphere.

Los Angeles last hosted the Games in 1984, when the United States topped the medal table with 174 medals, including 83 golds. That performance remains a benchmark as the country prepares for LA28 and the arrival of athletes and officials from around the world.