LOS ANGELES — The road to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games officially has its unifying mantra. The LA28 Organizing Committee today unveiled “Stars Align” as the official slogan for the 2028 Summer Games, launching the global marketing campaign toward sport’s biggest stage.
Accompanied by a high-energy launch film set to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ anthem “Can’t Stop,” the slogan serves as a rallying cry for elite athletes, coaches, and distance running fans worldwide as Los Angeles prepares to host its historic third Olympic Games from July 14–30, 2028, followed by its first-ever Paralympic Games from August 15–27, 2028.
“When Dedication Meets a Generational Moment”
Following recent Olympic mantras like Paris 2024’s “Games Wide Open” and Rio 2016’s “A New World,” LA28’s “Stars Align” builds on the international Olympic motto (“Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”) while capturing the cultural spirit of Southern California.
“Los Angeles is the place where dreams take flight, and the Olympics show us what’s possible when the world unites,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. “‘Stars Align’ is a call to action, whether you’re an athlete at the peak of your skill, a volunteer welcoming the world to these Games, or a fan cheering passionately from the stands.”
The core theme resonates directly with distance runners and endurance athletes whose careers are defined by years of quiet discipline leading up to a single qualifying window.
“The greatest moments in sport don’t just happen. Athletes work their whole lives for them,” added LA28 Chief Marketing Officer Alex Merchán. “In 2028, hard work meets the city of dreams.”
What LA28 Means for Track & Field and Marathon Fans
For the distance running and track community, the slogan release marks a key milestone in the countdown to LA28’s unique competition schedule:
- In-Stadium Track First: In a departure from traditional Olympic schedules, track and field competition will take place during Week 1 (July 15–24) at the iconic L.A. Memorial Coliseum. This marks the first time in Olympic history a single venue will host athletics across three separate Olympiads (1932, 1984, and 2028).
- Marathons Highlight Week 2: The spotlight shifts to road racing in late July for the running of the Olympic Marathons, giving endurance athletes center stage in the closing days of the Games.
- Iconic Road Corridors: As LA28 highlights landmark sites like the Venice Beach Boardwalk and the Griffith Observatory across its road event footprint, official course details for the 26.2-mile Olympic Marathon will showcase Southern California’s famous terrain.
Los Angeles holds a storied place in marathon history. At the 1984 LA Games, American legend Joan Benoit Samuelson won the inaugural women’s Olympic Marathon, establishing a legacy that continuing generations of marathoners aspire to match.
With “Stars Align” now official, the global countdown continues for athletes aiming to earn their spot on the start line in 2028.
