In the last two weeks, top athletes worldwide have competed passionately for the coveted gold medals at the Summer Olympics, held in Paris. The games have delighted fans both in the United States and globally, showcasing stunning images of Paris and its famous landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum, and the Palace of Versailles.
As the excitement of these Olympic Games comes to a close, anticipation is building for the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be hosted by Los Angeles. This marks the first time the United States will host the Summer Olympics since Atlanta in 1996 and the first for any Olympic Games since the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Los Angeles will be hosting the Olympics for the third time, previously hosting in 1932 and 1984. By the conclusion of the 2028 Games, the U.S. will have held a total of nine Olympic Games, more than any other country. France follows with six total Olympic events.
Los Angeles was initially one of five candidates vying to host the 2024 Summer Olympics alongside Paris, Rome, Budapest, and Hamburg. Ultimately, with Paris and Los Angeles remaining in the running, the International Olympic Committee surprisingly awarded both cities the Games, with Paris scheduled for 2024 to celebrate the centennial of the 1924 Summer Games in Paris, and Los Angeles awarded the 2028 Games in September 2017.
IOC president Thomas Bach expressed pride in Los Angeles’ bid, highlighting its focus on sustainability through existing venues that promote youth engagement in sports over the next 11 years.
The Los Angeles area boasts a robust sports infrastructure, with numerous professional teams and facilities available from previous Olympic events, which helped lower costs and facilitate a more environmentally friendly Olympic Games. LA28 chairperson Casey Wasserman emphasized that choosing established venues will save more than $150 million while ensuring a balanced budget.
The updated venue plan, released on June 21, includes several prominent locations for various events. The Crypto.com Arena, home to the Lakers and Kings, will host gymnastics. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will hold swimming events, accommodating 38,000 attendees, thus becoming the largest swimming venue in Olympic history. Additionally, the Intuit Dome will serve as the basketball venue, while track and field competitions will take place at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum.
Other notable venues include the LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium for diving, and the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Center for archery, BMX racing, and skateboarding. Equestrian events will take place in Temecula, while artistic swimming and para swimming will be held at Long Beach Sports Park.
Interestingly, softball and canoe slalom competitions will be conducted in Oklahoma City due to venue limitations in Southern California. The existing facilities did not meet the anticipated demand for softball, which will now be played at the 13,000-seat Devon Park, famously known for hosting the Women’s College World Series. Similarly, the lack of a canoe slalom venue in California necessitated this event also to be held in Oklahoma City.
Reflecting on past Olympics, the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles are remembered as a significant success, generating a profit of $223 million through low construction costs and substantial corporate sponsorships. Athletes like Carl Lewis and Mary Lou Retton rose to fame with their remarkable performances during those Games, despite the backdrop of a boycott by 14 Eastern Bloc countries.