The 2024 Paris Olympic Games concluded yesterday with a dazzling closing ceremony, wrapping up more than two weeks of exceptional athletic performances. As the world says farewell to Paris, focus shifts to Los Angeles, which is set to host the Summer Games in 2028.
The LA28 Games will mark the third time Los Angeles hosts the Olympic Games, having previously held them in 1984 and 1932, and it will be their first time hosting the Paralympic Games.
“California is thrilled to welcome athletes and visitors from all over the globe for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” stated California Governor Gavin Newsom. “Los Angeles boasts a diverse array of communities that enhance our state and influence the innovation fueling our growth and success. The Games will be an ideal platform to highlight our rich cultures, advanced stadiums, premier travel and tourism attractions, and remarkable public spaces, while generating numerous opportunities for residents. We eagerly anticipate uniting the global sports community in one of the most diverse, innovative, environmentally conscious, and beautiful locations on earth.”
The 2028 Games will include over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports, with more than 800 events scheduled across sunny Southern California. More than 80 venues have been confirmed, featuring events in cities such as Carson, Long Beach, and Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who received the Olympic flag at the closing ceremony of the Paris Games, emphasized that a top priority for the LA28 Games is to ensure that Olympic preparations have lasting benefits for all Angelenos.
“Our goal is to support small local businesses, create local jobs, and implement durable environmental and transportation improvements across Los Angeles,” Bass remarked. “We are incredibly excited to create opportunities for Angelenos that will endure for generations, so their children and grandchildren will remember that the 2028 Olympics was a turning point for their family’s success, and that’s precisely what we aim to achieve.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the event had a profound impact on how the Olympics were organized, showcasing effective management, commercial partnerships, and planning that influenced future Games.
The financial success of the 1984 Olympics generated over $233 million, establishing a model that other Olympic Games would follow. This edition marked a significant shift with the introduction of extensive corporate sponsorships, leading to substantial revenue and setting a standard for future events.
Additionally, the Games revolutionized media coverage, utilizing high production quality to enhance the Olympics’ global visibility.
They also represented a milestone for women in sports, as two female-only events—synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics—made their Olympic debut, alongside women competing for the first time in events such as the 3,000m and 400m hurdles, shooting, and road cycling.
The inaugural women’s Olympic marathon was a landmark achievement for female distance running, paving the way for the growth of the sport, especially in the United States, and contributing to the rise of a new industry in women’s running apparel and female-only competitions.
With increased attention on women’s participation, the 1984 Summer Games saw a record participation rate, with women making up 23% of the total athletes.
As Southern California prepares for this monumental event, anticipation builds for how Los Angeles will once again redefine the future of the Olympics, building on a legacy of achievement that began over four decades ago.
The opening ceremony for the 2028 Olympic Games is scheduled for July 14, 2028, while the opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games will take place on August 15, 2028.