A delegation from World Aquatics (AQUA) led by its President Husain Al Musallam made a three-day site visit to Los Angeles, United States, to visit facilities for the LA28 Olympics.
President Husain and the AQUA delegation visited sites covering the Olympic sport disciplines of Swimming, Water Polo, Diving, Artistic Swimming and Open Water Swimming during the September 18-20, 2025 tour.
A highlight of the inspection tour was the visit to SoFi Stadium where the high-profile Swimming events will be held.
President Husain, who is also the Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia, was deeply impressed with the scope and scale of the planned venue with an anticipated 39,000 seats, and ample seating for athletes too.
“I can feel the excitement in the Los Angeles air and the momentum building,” President Husein told the hosts.
“Swimming’s growth worldwide is unprecedented and reflected by the sheer increase in number of participants with 206 national federations competing at this year’s World Championships in Singapore,” President Husein noted.
“This momentum will only increase with the impressive facilities available on offer at SoFi Stadium. It will have a significant impact on the Swimming events at the Olympics,” he added.
AQUA expects Swimming in LA28 to host the largest number of national federation delegations in the history of the Olympic Games.
The anticipated venues for Water Polo, Artistic Swimming and Open Water Swimming presented by LA28 organisers were equally impressive. This cluster of sports in Long Beach will provide a unique and intimate ‘neighbourhood’ feel for the Games.
LA28 also presented the initial plans for Diving, which will be a crown jewel event in Pasadena, with the backdrop of the Rose Bowl Stadium.
The AQUA delegation also included Dale Neuburger, Treasurer; Daniel Gyurta, Olympic champion and Bureau member; Brent Nowicki, Executive Director; and Ahmad Al Saabi, President’s Office Director.
The host LA28 delegation which received the visitors included Gen. Reynold Hoover, CEO LA28, Ms. Janet Evans, Olympic champion and Chief Athletic Officer for LA28, Ms. Shana Ferguson, Chief Sport and Delivery Officer, Niccolo Campriani, Vice President for Sport, and Ms. Carla Brashier, Sport Manager.
At the end of the three-day visit, AQUA President Husein expressed his sincere gratitude and deep thanks for the leadership of Gen. Hoover and Ms. Ferguson, and the committed work of the LA28 team