Local Honda associates joined in on a nationwide celebration Monday, June 2, and had the chance to meet a 2024 Olympic silver medalist with Central Ohio roots when Honda officially announced that it will serve as an a founding partner of the LA 28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the official automotive partner of Team USA.
Associates gathered at the Honda Heritage Center near Marysville tuned into a livestream broadcast from Torrance, Calif., where American Honda Motor Co. Inc. President and CEO Kazuhiro Takizawa made the announcement, joined by members of LA28 and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), stating that the company is excited to help the world’s greatest athletes chase their dreams.
“The founders of Honda established our first U.S. operation in Los Angeles over 65 years ago, believing that success in America would lead to the success of Honda worldwide,” Takizawa said.
“On behalf of our 30,000 associates across the U.S. and in Southern California, Honda is proud to partner with LA28 and Team USA to support the remarkable athletes who will follow that same path to realize their dreams in Los Angeles in the quest for gold in the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
“You are truly allowing these athletes to make their dreams come true on the global stage,” said Casey Wasserman, LA28 chairperson and president.
“In 2028, thousands of athletes will descend on Los Angeles to chase their Olympic and Paralympic dreams. LA28 and Honda share a belief in the power of those dreams—and in the ability of the Games to inspire people everywhere to reach for excellence.”
As the Official Automotive Partner of Team USA, Honda will support the United States Olympic and Paralympic teams during the LA28 Games and also the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
During the local Honda Heritage Center event, 2024 Olympian and silver medalist Annette Echikunwoke, a Pickerington native, shared her background with attendees.
Currently a resident of Cincinnati, Echikunwoke, now age 28, competed in shotput and discus during high school, and then excelled in at the hammer throw at the University of Cincinnati. With Cincinnati, she won the weight throw event at the 2017 NCAA Championship, also becoming the university’s first NCAA champion in track and field.
She said she holds strongly to two principles in her life — faith and strong self-belief. Her tenacity has produced impressive results on the world stage in her sport.
Echikunwoke represented the United States in the women’s hammer throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She threw 75.48 meters, placing second at the event. Her silver medal was the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in the women’s hammer throw event.
“Honda’s power of dreams really resonates with me,” said the daughter of Nigerian-born parents. “As an athlete, I can tell you first-hand that Honda’s support matters.”
In her quest to return to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles for a gold medal, Echikunwoke keeps up on her intense training regime, with plans to hit the gym immediately following the Honda Olympic celebration. She trains six days a week 11 months out of the year, she said.
“I challenge you to take that with you. Let your own gold medal inspirations be with you in your every day. Remember the dream that you have, until it becomes a reality,” Echikunwoke told the Honda associates.
Joined by Monica Oliverio, American Honda chief diversity officer and vice president of general administration, Echikunwoke helped to unveil a gold Honda Integra Type S car in celebration of the Olympic sponsorship. Then guests were treated to a patriotic buffet of refreshments.
Company officials said Honda will work closely with LA28 on an accessible vehicle fleet for the Games, featuring a wide range of mobility products —helping thousands of athletes, officials and other key Games stakeholders from around the world move across Southern California.
“Few events embody perseverance, self-belief, the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence like the Olympic and Paralympic Games—qualities that align with the longstanding Honda global brand slogan, ‘The Power of Dreams – how we move you’,” Takizawa said during the livestream.
“The dreams of Honda associates serve as the driving force of our company, leading Honda to take on challenges to create a freedom of mobility that moves people physically, while also moving them emotionally. In this way, we can help the world’s greatest athletes—and people everywhere—fulfill their own life’s potential and enjoy their lives.”
Honda will offer a wide range of mobility products for usage throughout the Games, maximizing the use of electrified vehicles like the upcoming Honda 0 Series and Acura RSX. Honda also will provide powersports products including motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides, as well as Motocompacto e-scooters plus Honda Marine engines.
Additionally, LA28 plans for Honda and Acura vehicles to act as the official pace vehicles for all LA28 endurance events.
This partnership builds on the six-decade commitment of Honda to Los Angeles and communities across the country. Honda will continue to support the spirit of the Games by committing $1 million over the next four years to organizations that help individuals reach their life’s potential, on and off the field. This is on top of the more than $16 million committed by Honda and the Honda USA Foundation this year to support organizations advancing mobility, education, environment, traffic safety and community initiatives.
