As the Olympic Games conclude in Paris, Los Angeles is preparing to take the spotlight for the 2028 Olympics.
During the closing ceremony in Paris, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass accepted the Olympic flag and passed it to Tom Cruise, who made a grand entrance via motorcycle, airplane, and parachute, officially starting the countdown to the upcoming games.
Los Angeles will become the third city to host the Olympics three times, following its previous events in 1932 and 1984. These games were awarded to the city as a consolation when Paris was chosen for the 2024 Olympics.
The city’s first Olympic Games took place in 1932 amid the Great Depression, marking LA as the only bidder at that time. Noteworthy performances included American athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias, who clinched gold medals in newly introduced women’s events like javelin and hurdles.
The 1984 Olympics were considered a financial and cultural triumph, earning the nickname “the good Olympics.” The event featured memorable moments, including decathlon champion Rafer Johnson lighting the torch and stunning performances enhanced by music from John Williams.
The games featured dominant U.S. athletes, with stars like Carl Lewis and Mary Lou Retton achieving fame, while Michael Jordan led the men’s basketball team to gold. The successful event improved the global image of a city perceived to be in decline.
Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and chief athlete officer for LA 2028, expressed the hope that the upcoming games will reflect Southern California’s youthfulness and optimism.
On her return to Los Angeles, Bass was accompanied by LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman and city councilmember Traci Park as they observed the Paris games to learn from the experience.
Bass emphasized the Olympics’ potential for transformative impact, noting the city’s approach to hosting the event will focus on existing venues rather than new construction.
With SoFi Stadium set to be a major venue, home to both NFL teams, it will become the largest Olympic swimming venue ever established. Meanwhile, the Intuit Dome will serve as the site for basketball, with gymnastics scheduled to be held at Crypto.com Arena.
The plans include focusing on the cleanliness of venues like Long Beach, which will host marathon swimming and triathlon events. The area has seen promising results in recent analyses, which will be critical for maintaining safety standards.
Los Angeles, a city known for its traffic challenges, will implement strategies from past Olympic tactics, encouraging flexible work hours to ease congestion. Planning for the games began in earnest when the city secured them in 2017.
Recent improvements to public transit, including a new subway line extension and an automated rail line, aim to enhance transportation options ahead of the games, although some projects face uncertainties regarding completion by 2028.
Safety remains a key concern, particularly in light of current crime trends. The U.S. Secret Service will lead security planning, supported by federal resources. Local law enforcement officials have already been dispatched to observe the proceedings in Paris.
While Los Angeles continues to grapple with homelessness, the city will seek solutions as the games approach, amid discussions of similar practices seen in previous Olympic events that have drawn criticism.
Before the Olympics, LA is set to host other major sporting events, including a FIFA World Cup and another Super Bowl, as the hospitality sector continues to expand.
To fund the expected budget of $6.9 billion for the Olympic Games, organizers aim to secure sponsorships, ticket sales, and other revenue, with early efforts already generating over $1 billion towards their corporate sponsorship target.