The initiative, supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is to ensure sport is more accessible than ever for Angeleno children prior to the Games.

"There’s no question sport changed the trajectory of my life, but you don’t have to compete on an international stage to recognise the social, emotional and physical benefits sport gives us, teaching lessons in teamwork, competition and perseverance," Evans a four-time Olympic gold medallist, added.

"One of the greatest legacies the Games can provide is sharing the power of sport across local communities."

The funding will be primarily aimed at underprivileged kids in disadvantaged communities.

The money has been granted to the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to subsidise participation fees for leagues, classes and clinics ranging from tennis, golf and basketball to soccer, judo and teqball for people aged 18 and under.

The grant is dedicated to supporting quality sport programming in well-maintained, safe environments with trained coaches at more than 123 recreation centres and sport facilities across Los Angeles through the spring 2022 season, emphasising support in areas that serve low-income neighbourhoods.

"One of the key objectives of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games is to use the power of sport to boost the wellbeing, health and education of young people, regardless of their economic background, gender or ability," said Los Angeles 2028 IOC Coordination Commission chair Nicole Hoevertsz.

"This ambition is particularly important today, as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are excited to help create the right conditions for kids across Los Angeles to participate in and grow through sport."

In 2018 and 2019, LA28 began its investment with two SwimLA pilot programmes.