Sports diplomacy comes to Laguna
By CLARA BEARD
The Olympic and Paralympic Games may be coming to Los Angeles in 2028, but a panel at the Rivian South Coast Theater made the case that Orange County has plenty at stake.
Laguna Beach resident Jayne Herring, president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Orange County, moderated the discussion. Panelists included New Zealand Consul General Katja Ackerly, Orange County Sports Commission Executive Director Anthony Brenneman, former USA Rugby captain Todd Clever and attorney Jeremy Evans of California Sports Lawyer.
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Photos courtesy of World Affairs of OC/Jan Schrieber
Panelists take questions on sports diplomacy from moderator Jayne Herring
The discussion centered around the relationships, business opportunities and public diplomacy generated when the world’s biggest sporting events arrive in Southern California.
“The world’s biggest sporting events are no longer measured by medals or championships,” Herring told the audience. “Their lasting legacy lies in the relationships that they build between nations, communities, businesses and future generations.”
Ackerly drew on New Zealand’s experience co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament was a chance to put women athletes on the same stage as men, encourage participation and introduce more visitors to New Zealand, she said.
“The Olympics is something for everyone,” Ackerly said, adding that major events also bring practical questions about transportation, heat, ticket prices and the experience offered to international visitors.
Clever, who has played rugby in 37 countries and represented the United States internationally, spoke about athletes as ambassadors.
“I knew I represented more than myself and more than my teammates,” he said. “I represented 330 million people back home wherever I was playing.”
He said athletes have an opportunity to engage with the public beyond game day, whether through school visits, youth programs or other outreach. After retiring, Clever launched the Todd Clever Foundation to give back to the sport and help make opportunities for young people.
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Audience members listen to the discussion
“It kind of comes back to the word legacy,” Clever said. “What do you want to be known for?”
The most immediate local focus was LA28. Brenneman said Orange County will host men’s and women’s indoor volleyball at the Honda Center in Anaheim, while surfing is scheduled for Lower Trestles in San Clemente. Yet the county’s role will be much bigger than those two events, he said, with visitors expected to stay throughout Orange County with international Olympic committees exploring local training sites.
Brenneman said about 11 national Olympic committees are currently expected to train in Orange County before the Games, a number he expects to grow.
“The way that you get to look at the Olympics is not the end goal,” he said. “You have to look at it as the catalyst.”
That means using the Games to build longer-term tourism, sports and transportation improvements, he said. Brenneman pointed to the rail line connecting San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles as one existing asset that could make travel easier for visitors and residents alike.
The larger challenge is getting Orange County’s cities, institutions and businesses to think regionally, he said.
“When we’re able to put that all together, we’re able to function like a well-oiled machine that can compete with any major destination out there,” Brenneman said.
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Guests enjoy a spread from local restaurant Nirvana by Lindsay
