Mission Viejo, Saddleback College celebrate TeamNL training residency and launch community countdown to the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games

The City of Mission Viejo and Saddleback College are celebrating the successful conclusion of a month-long series of high-performance training camps by the Netherlands Olympic Committee (TeamNL), culminating in a media-only ceremony that officially launched the community's countdown to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

Over the past several weeks, Mission Viejo welcomed three elite Dutch national teams-Dutch Track Cyclists, Dutch Judo Team, and most recently TeamNL's Athletics Team, which completed an intensive week of training at Saddleback College's stadium and track as well as Trabuco Hills High School's strength facilities. These visits represent the first official pre-games training programs TeamNL has conducted in Mission Viejo with many more scheduled for 2027 and 2028 as part of the City's expanding international sports partnerships.

During Saturday's ceremony at Saddleback College, TeamNL reconfirmed the City of Mission Viejo as its official pre-games training base for the LA28 Games.

André Cats, Director of Elite Sports at NOC*NSF, explained why Mission Viejo, ideally located in Orange County, was selected as TeamNL's pre-Games training base.

"The sports facilities in Mission Viejo are truly outstanding and fully meet the high standards we set for our athletes and teams," he said. "In addition, the City offers a safe environment, excellent weather conditions, and convenient access to Los Angeles. By bringing multiple national sports federations together at one pre-camp location, we can maximize collaboration and efficiency while benefiting from shared services such as transportation, catering, and training facilities. Our road to LA28 begins in Mission Viejo. This is where we hope to write the opening chapter of another remarkable story in Dutch Olympic history. I have been incredibly impressed by the local community, which shares our ambition to compete among the world's best and has welcomed us warmly from day one. From now on, Mission Viejo is our home away from home."

TeamNL also designated the first three official training venues within the City:

• Saddleback College - world-class stadium and track facilities
• Trabuco Hills High School - elite strength and conditioning environment
• Marguerite Aquatics Complex - home of the internationally renowned Mission Viejo Nadadores

These designations reflect Mission Viejo's long-term commitment to supporting Olympic and Paralympic athletes and its strategic positioning as a premier pre-Games training destination. Mission Viejo's Sport & Events Tourism Committee, comprised of Saddleback College, local school districts, Lake Mission Viejo, the Chamber of Commerce, and organizations such as the Mission Viejo Nadadores, among others, has worked proactively to recruit and host elite international teams. These partnerships were essential in supporting TeamNL's recent residencies and ensuring world-class training conditions.

Saddleback College President Dr. Lonita Cordova emphasized the significance of the collaboration.

"Partnering with the City of Mission Viejo to host Team Netherlands is an extraordinary opportunity for our college, our students, and our local community," Dr. Cordova said. "We are honored that our world-class stadium and track-and-field facilities will serve these world-class athletes on their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Mission Viejo Mayor Wendy Bucknum highlighted the profound community and economic impact of hosting TeamNL.

"Mission Viejo's partnership with TeamNL is a shining example of what our community can accomplish when we work together," Mayor Bucknum said. "From our schools and community college to our local businesses, lake association, and the Nadadores, every partner played a vital role in welcoming these world-class athletes. Their presence has already brought meaningful economic benefits to our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, and this is only the beginning. As we officially start our countdown to LA28 alongside TeamNL, we celebrate not just athletic excellence, but the strength and unity of Mission Viejo."

Mission Viejo's role as an official training base for TeamNL positions the City as a global hub for Olympic and Paralympic preparation. With world-class facilities, strong community partnerships, and a proven ability to host elite athletes, Mission Viejo is poised to play a major role in the lead-up to the 2028 Games.