Olympians Head To Alamitos Beach
The Alamitos Beach cleanup has an additional connection to Long Beach’s role in the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ocean Conservancy is holding its flagship Los Angeles-area International Coastal Cleanup there, bringing members of Team USA Artistic Swimming and other Olympic and Paralympic representatives together with hundreds of local volunteers.
Among those scheduled to participate is Anita Alvarez, an Olympic silver medalist with USA Artistic Swimming, along with two-time Olympian John Moffett, president of the Southern California chapter of the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Alumni Association. Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is also scheduled to attend.
The location is particularly fitting: Alamitos Beach is scheduled to host Olympic beach volleyball and Paralympic blind football in 2028. The cleanup is part of Ocean Conservancy’s “Protect Where We Play” initiative, which uses athletes and major sporting events to encourage participation in ocean conservation.
Ocean Conservancy says nearly 20 million volunteers have participated in its International Coastal Cleanup since 1986, removing more than 400 million pounds of trash worldwide. Saturday’s Alamitos Beach event is free, but registration is requested. Cleanup materials will be provided, with T-shirts and reusable water bottles available while supplies last.