Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass this weekend in Paris made history by becoming the first Black woman Mayor to ever receive the Olympic flag at a closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
During the ceremony, Mayor Bass received the flag as part of the handover ceremony from Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who is the first woman to serve as Mayor of Paris. Team USA Gymnast Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, joined Mayor Bass in receiving the flag during the historic moment.
The Mayor will travel back to Los Angeles on Monday morning, bringing the Olympic flag back to L.A. as the next Host City of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“It was an immense honor to participate in this moment of history and it was such a privilege to stand with Simone Biles – someone who has made our entire nation proud,” said Mayor Bass. “It’s my hope that when girls around the world watched the first woman Mayor of Paris officially hand off the flag to the first woman Mayor of Los Angeles, they were inspired. Together, we sent the message to girls all around the world that they can do anything — they can run for gold and they can run for office. I want to recognize the City of Paris and Mayor Hidalgo for being such extraordinary hosts. Tonight, we exchanged more than just the flag, we sent a message all across the world. Now, it’s time for Los Angeles to show the world just how special our city is, and to host the most impactful Olympic and Paralympic Games yet that focus on helping local small businesses, creating local jobs and creating lasting environmental and transportation improvements throughout Los Angeles that generate tangible benefits to Angelenos for generations to come.”
