City To Host Athletes From Around The World For Pre-Games Training

Press release from the City of Mission Viejo:

October 28, 2025

Athletes from five countries across the globe will join Team USA in conducting their 2028 Pre-Games Training in the City of Mission Viejo.

On the heels of the City signing a multi-year agreement with the Dutch Olympic and Paralympic teams and securing the dive teams from Australia, France and the United States, Mission Viejo and the Nadadores will now welcome the dive teams from Canada and Germany.

“We are so excited to essentially be a significant training hub in the world,” said Mission Viejo Mayor Robert Ruesch. “We cannot wait to have the German, Canadian, Dutch, Aussie, French and American athletes call Mission Viejo their home away from home in 2028.”

Several of the teams training in 2028 will also conduct training camps in 2026 and 2027.

Canadian Senior Director of Performance Andrée Pouliot-Deschamps said Mission Viejo is the ideal location for their team’s pre-Olympic training.

“We selected Mission Viejo for our pre-Olympic training camp because its world-class facilities offer the ideal environment for our athletes, coaches, and staff to focus, train, and build momentum toward the Games,” she said. “Having visited before, we were impressed by the warm welcome and exceptional hospitality. Mission Viejo provides the perfect setting to prepare our team for success at Los Angeles 2028.”

Christoph Bohm, National Head Coach Diving Germany, agrees.

“We have found our dream training facility to optimally prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games,” he said. “We are particularly pleased that we will be able to prepare together with other major diving nations such as Australia and, above all, the United States.”

As a host city of the bike races in the 1984 LA Olympics to its participation in LA 2028, Mission Viejo and its residents already embrace the excitement of being a part of Olympic competition. The City symbolizes this spirit with an Olympic torch prominently placed on the City seal as well as offering several top-rated facilities. In addition to elevating Mission Viejo on the world’s stage, having these athletes from across the globe and Team USA train in Mission Viejo will further enhance the local economy as the athletes and families utilize City hotels, restaurants, stores and more while here.

Salvatore Faso, owner of longtime Mission Viejo family restaurant Piccolino, is grateful for the contributions the athletes will make to the business community.

“The Piccolino team and Faso family express our utmost gratitude to the City and City Council for their efforts in attracting athletic events, swim meets and now athletes from countries across the world,” he said. “Their presence helps businesses thrive—feeding athletes, staff, and their families keeps our tables full and our spirits high. When they choose to dine at my restaurant, it’s more than a meal, it’s a boost to our local economy and a celebration of global unity. We’re deeply grateful to the City for championing initiatives that help small businesses like ours thrive.”

The City’s Sports and Events Tourism Committee – the driving force behind these efforts – is dedicated to providing world-class sporting events, venues, and training opportunities to inspire our youth, increase local business revenues, and elevate Mission Viejo’s profile as a sports mecca and hub for sports and events tourism.

For more information, contact diveoffice@mvnadadores.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Mission Viejo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.