Vanessa Bryant has revealed her design for the LA 2028 Olympics, inspired by her late husband, Kobe Bryant.
Following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, Bryant shared the design on social media on Aug. 12. The symbol features a purple and gold snake-skin “A,” with the “Mamba” logo directly in the letter’s center. The logo pays tribute to Kobe’s tenured history as a Los Angeles Laker and his well-known “Mamba Mentality.”
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“Kobe was the ultimate athlete, and he took his role as an Olympian very seriously,” expressed Bryant in the announcement video. “He was so proud to represent our country. He considered his two gold medals part of his proudest professional accomplishments. His dedication to sport transcended basketball. As a spectator, he especially loved to show up for his fellow athletes and take in the competition at the world’s highest level.”
Bryant continued on, detailing how their family watched Kobe win gold in 2008’s Beijing and 2012’s London games. She also stated how her late husband was an instrumental figure in bringing the games to the city.
She added, “Kobe was an important advocate in bringing the games to Los
Angeles…[He] wanted the games to come to LA because of his passion for the city, all the love Angelinos have shown for our family, and all our fond memories here as an iconic figure in Los Angeles and around the world.”However, the video also featured a clip of the iconic athlete. The old footage showed Kobe explaining why Los Angeles was the perfect place to host the games.
“There’s so many icons that come from the city of Los Angeles, that live in the city of Los Angeles in so many different fields that it makes complete sense to host
the Olympics here,” explained the two-time gold medalist. “…There’s so many things that you can do with the Olympic Games to even elevate it to a higher level and to tell the beautiful journey and story of these athletes that are represented in these Olympic Games.”Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in 2020, along with his daughter, Gigi, and seven others. However, his legacy continues to live on through his family and love for Los Angeles. This new logo will symbolize his impact throughout the 2028 Olympics.
Bryant concluded, “We hope this inspires the Mamba Mentality in every aspiring Olympian and Paralympian. We’re so proud to see this emblem represent the Los Angeles Games. I know Kobe would be so proud to host the Games in this great city.”
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