The California legislature has passed a bill, backed by LA28, that grants in-state tuition eligibility to Olympians, Paralympians, and elite hopefuls training in California. This bill supports long-term wellness and career transition for athletes by providing affordable education opportunities. LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans emphasized the importance of supporting athletes both on and off the field. The bill, which had strong bipartisan support, now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature and will benefit athletes leading up to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to be memorable, with iconic venues such as the LA Memorial Coliseum set to host track and field for both events, marking it the only stadium to do so for three Olympics (1932, 1984, 2028). LA28 is focused on being 'fiscally responsible' by reusing existing venues, introducing exciting new sports like flag football and para climbing. With an emphasis on athlete experience and community engagement, LA28 is hoped to celebrate LA’s Olympic legacy while inspiring the next generation. 

Invented by the Netherlands in the 1950s, sitting volleyball made its official Olympic debut in 1980 (men) and 2004 (women). In comparison to volleyball, the sitting volleyball court is smaller (10m x 6m) and the net is lower (men: 1.5m, women: 1.05m). Only the three players in the 2-meter front zone can block. The libero continues to wear a different coloured shirt to represent their special role. Players must keep their buttocks in contact with the court at all times, except in extreme defensive situations where a brief loss of contact is allowed. The team consists of 12 players, with 6 on the court. Players' impairments' vary however all must be verified. Blocks may be permitted on serves. There are a maximum of 5 sets, first to three wins. 

Goalball was created in 1946 as a rehabilitation activity for the visually impaired as a result of World War Two injuries. It was introduced in Toronto for both men's and women's teams in 1976. The sport is exclusively for those visually impaired with less than 10% remaining vision and/or a restrictive 20-degree visual field. Participants wearing a black mask must not be touched unless permitted by the referee. Two bells inside the playing ball help orientate the players. Complete silence is required in the stadium for players to orientate the ball. There are three players per team on the court at all times with a maximum of 3 substitutes. Each match consists of two 12-minute halves separated by a 3-minute break. The game is won by scoring the most goals in the allotted time or by leading the other team by 10 goals. 

Wheelchair tennis is very similar to tennis and played by athletes in over 100 countries. The most significant difference is the two-bounce rule where a player can allow the ball to bounce twice, both inside or outside the court boundaries. Matches are a best of three sets, the first player to reach six games by a margin of two wins the set. Players use sports wheelchairs with adapted wheels for optimal balance and mobility. Requirements are a medically diagnosed, permanent physical impairment. The men's and women's single division is composed of athletes with up to two limb impairments. Athletes whose impairment affects three or more limbs play in the open-gendered quad division. 

Paralympic canoe emerged in 2009 by the International Canoe Federation to allow those with impairments to participate in the sport. Athletes in kayaks complete a straight 200m course across calm waters aiming for the fastest possible time. They line up at the start and race after the electronic start gate system is released. The kayaks are up to 5.2m long, with a minimum width of 50cm and must weigh at least 12kg. The kayaks are single-seated boats. The athletes used a double-bladed paddle to project themselves forward. Each athlete is given a classification point based on their mobility and an on-water evaluation. The higher their points, the less severe their limitation are. There are three different classes: KL1 up to 3 points, KL2 4-7 points and KL3 8- 9 points. 

The paralympic equation debuted in 1984 and consists purely of dressage. Men and women compete against each other on equal terms and each rider competes in 1-5 grades based on a classification assessed to their impairment. The level of difficulty in the test they perform is relative to their grade. Special equipment such as adjusted saddles is permitted. Team medals are decided by adding the results of the team test and the best three individual championship test scores. The horse and rider perform a series of movements in front of a panel of five judges who give a ranking out of ten. 

Football 5-a-side, or blind football, is adapted for athletes with visual impairments, governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) since 1996. It debuted at the Athens 2004 Paralympics and has been featured in every Paralympics since. The sport follows modified FIFA rules, with four blind outfield players (B1 category) and a sighted or partially sighted goalkeeper. A sound-emitting ball helps players navigate, and spectators must remain quiet during play. Brazil is a dominant team, having won every gold medal up to Rio 2016. 

Wheelchair basketball has been part of every Paralympic Games since 1960 and closely resembles able-bodied basketball. Teams consist of 12 players, with five on the court at any time. Players are classified from 1 to 4.5 points based on impairment, with a total of 14 points allowed on the court. The court, hoop, and scoring system are the same, with minor rule adaptations such as players needing to bounce the ball after every two wheelchair pushes. This fast-paced sport requires excellent hand-eye coordination and agility. 

Boccia, introduced to the Paralympics in 1984, is a precision sport for wheelchair athletes. Played on a 12.5m by 6m court, athletes aim to propel leather balls as close to the target "jack" as possible. Balls can be rolled, thrown, kicked, or released via a ramp for those with limited mobility, assisted by a sport assistant. The game is played in ends, with individual matches consisting of four ends and team events of six. Boccia is unique in its mixed-gender competition, requiring strategy and accuracy for success. 

Athletics has been part of the Paralympics since 1960 and is the most popular sport, featuring a variety of events for athletes of all impairment groups. The sport includes track events (sprints, middle and long-distance), field events (jumps and throws), and the marathon. Athletes compete based on functional classification, with some using wheelchairs, prosthetics, or sighted guides. Competitions are held globally, and specialized equipment like lightweight wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs are used. 

Wheelchair rugby, originally called murderball, made its Paralympic debut at Sydney 2000. It's a mixed-gender sport where players score by carrying a ball across the opposition's goal line. The game is played on a hardwood court with teams of four players, each classified based on their functional ability. The sport is full-contact, and wheelchair clashes are integral to the game, with specific offensive and defensive wheelchair designs. Matches consist of four 8-minute quarters, with overtime if tied. Wheelchair rugby is known for its fast-paced and intense action. 

Swimming has been a Paralympic sport since the inaugural Games in 1960. Athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments compete in events like freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and medley. Swimmers are classified based on functional ability, and specific modifications are made, such as using "tappers" for visually impaired athletes. The competition uses a standard 50m pool, and no prosthetics are allowed. The sport has grown steadily, with major events like the Paralympic Games and World Championships, showcasing elite athletes like the USA’s Trischa Zorn, who has won 32 gold medals. 

Para powerlifting tests athletes' upper body strength, with some lifting over three times their body weight. The sport's only discipline is the bench press, and athletes compete in different weight categories based on body weight. Powerlifting has been part of the Paralympics since 1992. Athletes from various impairment groups, such as limb deficiencies or muscle impairments, compete in one class, and winners are determined by the heaviest lift. Iran's Siamand Rahman holds the record with a 296kg lift. Egypt is the most successful nation in the sport. 

Para cycling at the Rio 2016 Paralympics featured 230 athletes competing in 51 events across track and road disciplines. The sport includes sprints, time trials, and road races, with athletes classified based on their impairments, such as visual impairments, cerebral palsy, and amputations. Track events were held at the Olympic Velodrome, while road events took place in Pontal. Para cycling began at the 1984 Paralympics and has since expanded to include a range of athletes using bicycles, tricycles, and hand cycles. It is governed by the International Cycling Union (UCI). 

Para-archery, one of the original Paralympic sports, closely mirrors its able-bodied counterpart. Athletes with physical impairments can compete using assistive devices as needed. The sport includes categories like W1, compound open, and recurve open, with events testing accuracy, strength, and concentration. Archers shoot at varying target sizes and distances depending on the category, advancing through rounds based on their scores. Governed by World Archery, para-archery allows athletes to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics if they meet qualification standards. 

Paralympic judo, derived from the ancient martial art JuJutsu, debuted for men at the 1988 Seoul Games and for women in 2004 in Athens. Competitors, known as Judoka, aim to achieve an Ippon (instant victory) by throwing, submitting, or immobilizing their opponent. All athletes have visual impairments, and matches are fought on a tatami mat. Athletes begin with contact and rely on expert balance and technique. If no Ippon is achieved, the winner is determined by points, with a golden score period deciding tied matches.

Paralympic table tennis has been part of the Games since 1960. The game follows similar rules to able-bodied table tennis, with points scored when opponents fail to return the ball. Players use a mix of forehand, backhand, top spin, and defensive shots like the lob. There are 11 classes, with classes 1-5 for seated athletes, 6-10 for standing athletes, and class 11 for those with intellectual impairments. Matches are best of five games, with players needing to win by two clear points in each game.

Football 7-a-side features teams of seven players. The sport is designed for athletes with cerebral palsy or a traumatic brain injury. Key differences from traditional football include no offside rule, smaller field dimensions, and throw-ins with one hand. Matches consist of two 30-minute halves, with extra time and penalty shootouts used in knockout stages if needed. Athletes are classified based on their impairment's impact on performance, and each team must follow specific class requirements during play. 

Sailing has three events: one-person, two-person, and three-person keelboat races. Each event uses different boats, such as the 2.4mR, SKUD-18, and Sonar. Sailors earn points based on their race position, and the team with the fewest points after 11 races wins. The classification system accounts for impairments like stability and hand function, with adaptations allowed based on physical needs.