The Paralympic Games are due begin on August 15 and and close August 27.

An Olympics will not have started so early in the year since Paris staged them in 1924, when they opened on July 5. 

The dates were confirmed during a visit by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to the Los Angeles 2028 headquarters.

"Today marks the official countdown to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said five-time Olympic medallist and Los Angeles 2028 chief athlete officer Janet Evans

"The LA28 Games will be unlike any other, showcasing the best of Southern California’s exceptional stadiums and world-class culture to athletes and fans alike. 

"This milestone makes the Games real for every athlete actively training for their LA28 dream and the fans who follow the journey."

The announcement of the dates comes as Bach, accompanied by Los Angeles 2028 IOC Coordination Commission chair Nicole Hoevertsz, visited the Californian city to review planning for the Games. 

During their time in Los Angeles, Bach and Hoevertsz met with the Los Angeles 2028 leadership, community leaders and city officials, visited sports facilities and watched PlayLA youth sports programmes partially funded by the IOC's $160 million (£134 million/Є158 million) commitment, part of a package agreed when the United States city agreed to step aside for 2024 so the Olympics could be awarded to Paris. 

"I have been really impressed by the progress and creativity of the LA28 team," Bach said. 

"From the very start, the LA28 project has embedded the essence of Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms in everything they do. 

"They are using the power of the Olympic Games to inspire young people to get involved in sport, and we are very proud of LA28’s investment of $160 million in support of youth sports in Los Angeles. 

"Six years before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, this is already a significant Games legacy, making a difference in the lives of over a hundred thousand children. 

"It will help to bring new fans to Olympic sport and leave a sporting legacy for generations to come."

Following today's announcement, it means Games will start a week earlier than originally planned, as according to the Los Angeles 2028 Bid Book the proposed dates for the Olympics were July 21 until August 6. 

The Paralympic Games had been proposed for August 22 until September 3.

Los Angeles will join London as a three-time host of the Olympics.

This will be the earliest they have been held, having started on July 30 in 1932 and July 28 in 1984. 

it will be the first time that Los Angeles has staged the Paralympic Games.

"With set dates in hand, Los Angeles is ready and excited to host the Olympics for the third time and the Paralympics for the first time in history,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said when announcing the dates during an event held at the during an event held at the John C. Argue Swim Stadium, built for the 1932 Games.

"The Games represent a once in a lifetime opportunity for LA - a bold investment throughout our communities with equity and progress as the main focus. 

"This will bring vast opportunity into every corner of the city ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations of Angelenos."