Kobe Bryant loved the Olympics.
“Kobe was the ultimate athlete,” said his widow Vanessa Bryant as she announced the new Black Mamba-inspired LA28 emblem for the 2028 Summer Olympics. “And he took his role as an Olympian very seriously. He was so proud to represent our country and he considered his two gold medals one of his greatest professional achievements.”
The Los Angeles Lakers legend won those two gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and, after retiring from the NBA, campaigned vigorously to bring the games back to Los Angeles.
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“There are so many icons that come from the city of Los Angeles,” Kobe Bryant said before his tragic death. “They live in so many different areas in the city of Los Angeles that it makes perfect sense to host the Olympics here because there are so many things you can do with the Olympics to elevate it and tell the wonderful journey and story of these athletes that are represented in these Olympics.”
In 2024, this dream has now become a reality and downtown Los Angeles is getting a “Mamba Makeover.”
Downtown LA with a Mamba Makeover 🐍💜💛#MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/IkcdIBpp2z
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) 22 August 2024
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If you want to see Vanessa Bryant’s entire Kobe Bryant tribute video, watch below.
“Hosting the Olympic Games here in a city where so many cultures are naturally represented would be a beautiful story and a wonderful way to integrate sport into the city,” Kobe concluded.
Fortunately, thanks to this Nike billboard and Vanessa’s efforts, his dream of attending the Los Angeles Olympics has actually come true.
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