Olympian Janet Evans Wants LA28 To Be Remembered For More Than Medals
Key takeaways
- Sports Money Olympian Janet Evans Wants LA28 To Be Remembered For More Than Medals By Tim Genske,
- Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
- (This story is based on an exclusive Forbes interview with Janet Evans, June 23, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
Sports Money Olympian Janet Evans Wants LA28 To Be Remembered For More Than Medals By Tim Genske,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I have had a lifelong love of both history and the Olympics.Follow Author Jun 24, 2026, 11:13pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Summary Janet Evans, LA28's Chief Athlete Officer, is shaping the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games' legacy through youth sports and athlete advocacy. The annual LA28 Day of Sport engaged over 13,000 young athletes nationwide, promoting the movement. This builds on the PlayLA program, a $160 million initiative providing free/low-cost sports for LA youth, which has already produced a Paralympian. LA28 prioritizes community impact over new venues, with Evans ensuring athletes have an unprecedented voice in planning. Her role, the first of its kind, embeds an athlete-centered perspective, as evidenced by a recent summit gathering nearly 300 Olympians. For Evans, success in 2028 will be universally positive feedback from athletes.
(This story is based on an exclusive Forbes interview with Janet Evans, June 23, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. All quotes are taken directly from a transcript of the interview.)