The 2024 Paris Olympic Games came to a spectacular conclusion yesterday, wrapping up more than two weeks of remarkable events showcasing athletic prowess. With Paris bidding farewell, all eyes are now on Los Angeles, which will host the Summer Games in 2028.
This will be the third time Los Angeles has hosted the Olympic Games, following its previous events in 1932 and 1984, and it will be the first time the city hosts the Paralympic Games.
“California is thrilled to welcome athletes and visitors from around the globe for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” stated California Governor Gavin Newsom. “Los Angeles boasts diverse communities that strengthen our state and fuel the innovation driving our growth and success. The Games will highlight our rich cultures, world-class stadiums, premier travel and tourism attractions, and beautiful public spaces, while also creating new opportunities for local residents. We are eager to unite the global sports community in one of the most diverse, innovative, climate-friendly, and picturesque locations on the planet.”
The LA28 Games will feature over 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports, with more than 800 events scheduled across sunny Southern California. An impressive 80 venues have been confirmed for events in Carson, Long Beach, and Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who received the official Olympic flag during the closing ceremony in Paris, emphasized that a primary focus of the LA28 Games is ensuring the preparations benefit local residents for generations.
“We want to support small businesses, create local jobs, and implement lasting environmental and transportation improvements throughout Los Angeles,” Bass remarked. “We are excited to create opportunities for Angelenos that will endure for decades, allowing future generations to look back and see the 2028 Olympics as a catalyst for their families’ success, and that’s precisely what we aim to achieve.”
Reflecting on the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, it is evident they played a crucial role in the evolution of the Olympics, showcasing how effective management and commercial partnerships can enhance the event’s future.
The financial success of the 1984 Olympics, generating over $233 million, set a standard for subsequent Games. This edition was also the first to extensively utilize sponsorships from major corporations, significantly boosting revenue and establishing a precedent for future events.
Additionally, the Games were groundbreaking in their use of television and media coverage, achieving high production quality that increased global visibility for the Olympics.
The 1984 Games were a pivotal moment for women in sports, introducing two new female disciplines—synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics—and allowing women to compete in the 3,000m and 400m hurdles, shooting, and road cycling for the first time. The inaugural women’s Olympic marathon was particularly significant, catalyzing growth in female distance running and sparking a new industry focused on women’s running apparel and events.
The emphasis on female participation surged, leading to a record number of women athletes at the 1984 Games, comprising 23% of all participants.
As Southern California prepares for this historic occasion, anticipation builds to see how Los Angeles will once again influence the future of the Olympics, sustaining a tradition of excellence and innovation that began over 40 years ago.
The opening ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games is scheduled for July 14, 2028, with the Paralympic Games opening ceremony set for August 15, 2028.