Oklahoma City’s preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games have an official identity. Team OKC unveiled its new brand, introducing “We are Team OKC” as a rallying message designed to bring the community together as the city prepares to welcome Olympic athletes and visitors from around the world. Team OKC President Michael Byrnes said the phrase is intended to represent more than the organization leading Oklahoma City’s preparations for the Games. “Those four words have more meaning than just a logo or a campaign,” Byrnes said. “They’re an invitation because Oklahoma City’s Olympic movement will not belong to one organization or one venue or one group of people. It belongs to this entire community.” The brand identity was created to give the effort a recognizable identity as Team OKC works to connect residents, businesses, volunteers and community partners with opportunities surrounding the Games. Oklahoma City will stage Olympic softball and slalom paddle competitions during the LA28 Games, bringing some of the world’s best athletes to two venues with TEAM OKC LAUNCHES NEW BRAND AS CITY PREPARES FOR 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES
deep connections to their respective sports. Byrnes credited city leadership and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber with making the commitment that helped bring Olympic competition to the city. For Oklahoma City, staging those competitions is the culmination of decades of work. USA Softball CEO Craig Cress pointed to the city’s long history with softball, including the 1987 Olympic Festival and decades of hosting the Women’s College World Series. “It’s something that we have been auditioning for here in Oklahoma City to put this sport on and solidify us being the softball capital of the world,” Cress said. A similar long-term vision helped transform Oklahoma City into an internationally recognized destination for paddle sports. RIVERSPORT OKC Founder
Mike Knopp recalled attending the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta with his wife and watching rowing, an experience that helped inspire his efforts to establish the sport in Oklahoma City nearly 30 years ago. Knopp said seeing the Olympics return to the United States with Olympic competitions being staged in Oklahoma City represents a full-circle moment. “To think that I’m sitting at the Atlanta
Olympics and then the next time the Olympics will be in America for the Summer Games,
Mayor David Holt speaks at the Team OKC brand launch.
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