Denmark will establish a national hospitality house at The Westin hotel in Long Beach for the 2028 Olympics, making it the city\u2019s second entry for a social headquarters ahead of the Games.<\/p>\n
In a city release issued Thursday, a representative with the nation\u2019s Olympic committee<\/a> said their decision to pick Long Beach stemmed from its waterfront, \u201cinnovative spirit, and commitment to sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n Olympic houses like Denmark\u2019s are a Games tradition and have become increasingly elaborate over the years. There were more than 30 hospitality houses during the Paris 2024 Olympics, varying in atmosphere and architectural styles.<\/p>\n Houses serve as a hub of national fervor, promotional vehicles for sponsors and countries\u2019 tourism agencies, and, most importantly, a social hub: places for officials to meet and greet outside the stadiums and arenas, and a refuge for athletes to spend downtime with friends and family members.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear how many Danish athletes will compete in 2028; the country previously sent 108 athletes to Tokyo in 2020 and 135 to Paris in 2024. The country has successfully competed in handball, cycling, rowing, swimming, sailing, table tennis and badminton.<\/p>\n Details are scant on the Danish house. Some houses are free while others charge a small fee for admission to watch disciplines and linger at their sponsor pavilions. It will likely have memorabilia and flags evoking its Olympic success and culture, and feature some form of educational material but also offer entertainment during the Games.<\/p>\n Plans are pending to moor the Danes\u2019 92-year-old tall ship, the Danmark, somewhere in the city\u2019s harbor.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are proud to share our maritime heritage and to use these spaces to foster dialogue on greener solutions that can benefit communities in both our countries,\u201d said Klaus Clemmens with the Danish Olympic Committee.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the second announced hub in Long Beach, coming three months after Greece\u2019s Hellenic Olympic Committee<\/a> said it would set up at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n Mayor Rex Richardson said the city is aggressively lobbying the country\u2019s Olympic committees to establish social houses ahead of the Games, saying the Long Beach Museum of Art, MOLAA and other spots could serve as great sites for teams, brands and associations.<\/p>\n Earlier in the year, the city met with more than 100 national liaisons to pitch them on placing their houses in Long Beach. Tours have been provided to a dozen or so Olympic delegates.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve garnered a lot of interest so far,\u201d Richardson said. \u201cWe have a number of very promising conversations taking place, and we look forward to sharing more updates in the weeks to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Business and property owners interested in renting their space for a hospitality house can apply here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Long Beach will host 11 disciplines for the Olympic Games and seven for the Paralympic Games. The Games will run July 14 to 30, while the Paralympic Games will take place Aug. 15 to 27.<\/p>\n