President Trump Announces 2028 Olympics Task Force
In a recent appearance on “Fox & Friends First,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly discussed President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding the formation of a task force aimed at organizing the logistics for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
As the spotlight turns towards the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February, U.S. Olympic gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates will return to the ice. Interestingly, they will enjoy a four-year break from their earlier disappointment when a prior partner’s disqualification due to a doping violation prevented them from claiming their rightful medal.
Initially, at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Chock and Bates were awarded a silver medal, standing on the podium while the Russian team, featuring 15-year-old Kamila Valieva, celebrated with gold. It wasn’t until late January 2024 that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found Valieva guilty of rule violations, officially recognizing Chock, Bates, and the U.S. team as the legitimate gold medalists from 2022.
Valieva had tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance, following a doping test conducted at the Russian Figure Skating Championships in December 2021. Consequently, she received a four-year suspension and was stripped of all results dating back to that point.
During a recent interview at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Media Summit, Chock and Bates reflected on what they might say to Valieva today. Bates expressed, “It’s challenging to comprehend the pressure a 15-year-old might feel in such circumstances. I mean, even as an adult, being an elite athlete is incredibly stressful. I think it’s essential to approach this with grace; we don’t always grasp the full scope of someone’s situation… I honestly don’t know what I’d tell her.”
Chock added her thoughts, wishing Valieva well, as she stated, “Life is short. We’re all navigating our personal journeys together. It’s essential to focus less on past actions and how they may impact us and more on our collective human experience.” She emphasized the importance of wishing for happiness and fulfillment in everyone’s lives.
The pair had to wait nearly two years after their first Olympics to secure their rightful gold medal, which they finally received during a ceremony at the Paris Olympics in the summer.
Chock, Bates, along with their teammates, Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Zachary Donahue, Brandon Frazier, Madison Hubbell, Alexa Knilim, and Vincent Zhou, were honored in front of over 13,000 fans during a special medal awarding event. Chock remarked, “We’ve gained greater appreciation for the tough times we’ve faced. Each moment, whether good or bad, has shaped who we are as individuals and as a team.”
Moreover, Chock and Bates made history as the first ice dance duo to win three consecutive championships. In March, they defeated Canadian competitors Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier to capture their first championship title in nearly three decades.
