Los Angeles Prepares for 2028 Olympics After Receiving Olympic Flag at Paris Closing Ceremony
Los Angeles is officially in the spotlight as the next host city for the Summer Olympics. Mayor Karen Bass accepted the Olympic flag at the Paris closing ceremony on Sunday, symbolizing the handover to LA. The flag was then passed to Tom Cruise, who, in a pre-recorded sequence involving a motorcycle, plane, and parachute, kicked off the countdown to the 2028 Games.
LA will become the third city globally to host the Olympics three times, adding to its previous hosting years of 1932 and 1984. This opportunity came as a consolation prize when Paris was chosen for the 2024 Games.
In 1932, LA hosted its first Olympics, an event marked by the Great Depression and the absence of several nations. Despite these challenges, the Games produced memorable moments, including American athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias winning gold in the newly introduced women’s javelin and hurdles events.
The 1984 Olympics in LA were a financial and cultural success, often referred to as the “good” Olympics, sparking interest from cities worldwide to host future Games. The opening ceremony featured decathlon champion Rafer Johnson lighting the torch, a jetpack descent into the Memorial Coliseum, and a score composed by John Williams. The U.S. dominated the event, with athletes like Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, and a young Michael Jordan making headlines.
As LA prepares for 2028, the city aims to deliver a modern, youthful Games, full of the optimism that Southern California is known for, according to Janet Evans, four-time Olympic gold medalist and chief athlete officer for the LA 2028 organizing committee.
Mayor Bass, who returned to LA on Monday, spent the Paris Games learning what it takes to host the world’s largest sporting event, alongside LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman and other city officials. Bass emphasized that, like Paris, LA sees the Olympics as an opportunity for transformative change.
Unlike many other Olympic cities, LA plans to polish existing structures rather than build new ones, making it a “no-build Games.” The opening ceremony is planned for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, with events also utilizing the historic Memorial Coliseum.
SoFi Stadium, home to two NFL teams, has hosted a Super Bowl and several Taylor Swift concerts since its opening in 2020. It will be transformed into the largest Olympic swimming venue ever, marking the first time since 1972 that swimming events will take place after track and field.
Another key venue is the soon-to-open Intuit Dome, the Inglewood home of the NBA’s Clippers, which is set to host Olympic basketball. Gymnastics will take place at the Lakers’ downtown Crypto.com Arena.
The Long Beach waterfront will host marathon swimming and triathlon races, with organizers focusing on its cleanliness to avoid issues similar to those faced by Paris with the Seine River. The Long Beach shore also featured in pre-recorded performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre during Sunday’s ceremony.
Mayor Bass plans to implement traffic mitigation strategies similar to those used during the 1984 Olympics, including staggered work hours and remote work options to ease congestion during the Games.
While crime rates have decreased since 1984, security remains a top priority. The Olympics are designated as a national special security event, with the U.S. Secret Service leading the security plan, supported by federal resources. LA law enforcement officers observed and assisted in Paris to prepare for 2028.
Homelessness remains a significant challenge, and it’s unlikely LA will resolve this issue before the Games. California Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened to withhold funding from cities unable to clear encampments, following a similar approach taken by Paris and other previous Olympic host cities.
Despite these challenges, LA is positioned as a prime destination for major sporting events. Before the Olympics, the city will host a FIFA World Cup event and the U.S. Women’s Open in 2026, as well as another Super Bowl in 2027.
The LA28 organizing committee is relying on ticket sales, sponsorships, and payments from the International Olympic Committee to cover the Games’ $6.9 billion budget. They have already secured over $1 billion toward their $2.5 billion domestic corporate sponsorship goal.
Source: ABC News
