The city of Downey will welcome a delegation from Paralympics Ireland next week for a 10-day familiarization and training camp as the organization prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games, officials announced Tuesday.
The delegation will be based in Downey from Aug. 12-22, using the city as a hub for athlete training, according to city officials.
Mayor Claudia Frometa said the visit highlights Downey’s commitment to supporting international athletes and the city’s ties to Ireland.
“We are honored to welcome Paralympics Ireland to Downey as they continue their preparations for the LA28 Paralympic Games,” Frometa said in a statement.
“This visit reflects the collaboration and hospitality that defines our community and connected history. We look forward to sharing our city with the delegation while supporting their training and introducing them to the people, facilities and partnerships that make Downey such a special place.”
Richard Doyle, operations lead for Paralympics Ireland, said the visit will help athletes train while allowing staff to better understand the region before the 2028 Games.
“This camp will give our athletes and staff an important opportunity to train in Southern California while also helping our performance and operations teams to better understand the environment, facilities, transport and logistics that will shape our preparations for LA28,” Doyle said. “We look forward to working closely with our local partners throughout the camp and exploring how these relationships can continue to develop in the lead up to the Games.”
As part of the visit, the city, Downey Unified School District and Paralympics Ireland will host a free community event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Downey High School. The event will include a table tennis exhibition featuring members of the Irish delegation, along with opportunities for residents to meet athletes and staff.
City officials said the visit also reflects Downey’s historical ties to Ireland. The city’s founder and namesake, John Gately Downey, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, before immigrating to California and becoming the state’s seventh governor. Downey established a sister-city relationship with County Roscommon in 2013.