Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is eager to bring Olympic canoe slalom and softball to his city.
Since 2018, Holt has been working behind the scenes to help secure the decision for these sports to be held in Oklahoma City during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
To prepare, Holt and a group of 10 from Oklahoma City are visiting the Paris Olympics to learn more about the Games. This group includes two city staff members and several representatives from the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, who will help host the events.
Holt attended the women’s canoe slalom on Wednesday and the men’s canoe slalom on Thursday at the Vaires-Sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
“It’s important to see the event in person,” Holt said while waiting for the men’s finals. “Experiencing it firsthand and talking to people is crucial.”
Bringing these sports to Oklahoma City aims to use existing facilities and keep costs down. The plan still needs formal approval from the City of Los Angeles, but this is expected to be a formality.
Holt also hopes to build connections with Olympic stakeholders, including those in Los Angeles.
This is Holt’s first time at the Olympics, and he has found the experience valuable. He watched American Evy Leibfarth win a bronze medal in women’s canoe slalom, the first American medal in that event in 20 years. He also saw Katie Ledecky win gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle and enjoyed the medal ceremony and the U.S. national anthem, calling it “kind of cool and emotional.”
