News Summary
Mission Viejo has been selected as the official training center for competitive divers in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This decision marks a significant milestone, as international teams from France, Australia, the Netherlands, and Team USA are set to utilize the city’s diving facilities. Local officials, including Mayor Robert Ruesch, emphasize the investment in community and international sportsmanship. The city plans to host several training camps leading up to the games, bolstering its reputation in athletics and community pride.
Mission Viejo has been selected as a training center for competitive divers ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This prestigious announcement marks a significant milestone for the city as it welcomes diving teams from France, Australia, the Netherlands, and Team USA to its world-class outdoor diving facility.
The decision to choose Mission Viejo facilitates a strategic training opportunity for these international teams as they gear up for the Olympic Games slated to take place in July 2028. The diving events are expected to be held from July 16-22 and July 25-28 at the newly chosen venue, the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, located approximately 70 miles from Mission Viejo. This venue change from Exposition Park, where the diving took place in the 1932 Olympic Games, received unanimous approval at the end of August 2025.
Mission Viejo Mayor Robert Ruesch expressed excitement about the city’s role in hosting these talented divers, highlighting the importance of this event as a great investment in both local community and international sportsmanship.
International Teams Prepare for the Olympics
Diving teams from Australia and France are eager to utilize Mission Viejo’s advanced training facilities to enhance their performance leading up to the Olympic Games. Additionally, divers from the Netherlands and the USA will also conduct their training in the city as they prepare for the global event.
In a forward-looking approach, several diving teams plan to conduct training camps in Mission Viejo for the years 2026 and 2027, with Australia already confirming a training camp for 2026. This will allow the divers sufficient time to acclimatize and prepare for the outdoor conditions that they will face during the Olympics.
Facility Recognition and Leadership in Diving
As part of the ongoing dedication to promoting excellence in diving, the dive well at the Marguerite Aquatics Complex in Mission Viejo will be renamed to honor Dr. Ron O’Brien, an eight-time USA Olympic diving coach who passed away in November 2024. The naming approval was granted by the Mission Viejo City Council, with an official unveiling planned during the opening ceremonies of the 2025 USA Diving Junior National Championships scheduled for July 26.
Enhancing the community’s commitment to diving programs, Michele Mitchell, a two-time Olympic medalist diver, has been appointed as the executive director of the Mission Viejo Nadadores Foundation. Under her leadership, efforts are underway to revive the foundation’s swimming and diving programs, with a strong focus on establishing a lasting legacy leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games.
Conclusion and Implications for Mission Viejo
The selection of Mission Viejo as a training hub for these international diving teams underscores the city’s growing reputation in the world of sports. The investment in its facilities and a warm welcome to teams from around the globe showcase Mission Viejo’s dedication to excellence in athletics. This development not only provides a boost to the city’s economy but also strengthens community pride as it embraces its role in the lead-up to the prestigious Olympic Games.
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Additional Resources
- SwimSwam: Mission Viejo to Serve as Home to Divers from France and Australia
- OC Register: Mission Viejo is Already Diving into Summer
- Swimming World Magazine: Olympic Medalist Michele Mitchell to Lead Mission Viejo Nadadores Foundation
- Wikipedia: Mission Viejo, California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mission Viejo
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
