LOS ANGELES (AP) — The torch has now passed to Los Angeles. Mayor Karen Bass accepted the Olympic flag at the Paris closing ceremony on Sunday before handing it off to a local business representative, Tom Cruise, who kicked off the countdown to the 2028 games in a pre-recorded journey via motorcycle, plane, and parachute.
Los Angeles will become the third city in the world to host the Olympics three times, following the years of 1932 and 1984. Here’s a look at the past and future of the Olympics in LA.
LA’s Olympic history began in 1932 when the city hosted its first games. Despite being the only bidder at the time, the games were successful, with memorable moments from athletes like Babe Didrikson Zaharias.
The 1984 Olympics were also a success, earning the reputation of the “good” Olympics. With a mix of modern and classical elements, the games showcased the talents of athletes like Carl Lewis and Mary Lou Retton.
For the 2028 games, LA plans to focus on modernizing existing venues rather than building new ones. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will serve as the main venue, hosting events like swimming and track and field.
The Intuit Dome, the new home of the NBA’s Clippers, will host basketball, while the Crypto.com Arena will host gymnastics.
In terms of transportation, LA is known for its traffic congestion, but Mayor Bass plans to implement strategies to ensure smooth movement during the games. Public transportation, including trains and buses, will play a key role in managing the influx of visitors.
Overall, LA is looking forward to hosting the 2028 Olympics and showcasing the city’s vibrant culture and athleticism on a global stage.
Securing the Olympics during Eric Garcetti’s tenure as Mayor in 2017 provided Los Angeles with a rare opportunity to plan well in advance.
Although not as extensive as the Paris Metro, the city has constructed a subway system since the last Olympics, with lines conveniently passing by key venues.
In 2018, Los Angeles unveiled an ambitious plan for 28 new bus and rail projects aimed at revolutionizing public transportation.
While some projects were abandoned, several moved forward, such as extending a subway line to link downtown LA with UCLA, the proposed site of the Olympic Village.
One notable project is the Inglewood People Mover, a three-stop automated rail line serving major Olympic venues. Originally slated to receive $1 billion in federal funding, opposition from Rep.
Maxine Waters led to a $200 million reduction in funding. It remains uncertain if the line will be completed by the time the Olympics arrive in 2028.
Metro recently secured $900 million in funding from an infrastructure spending package and grants from the Biden administration, with $139 million earmarked for transportation improvements by 2028 to support the goal of a “car-free” Olympics.
“The main challenge is not just waiting until 2028, but seizing the opportunity between now and then to encourage Angelenos and visitors to rethink the transportation network as their preferred option,” stated Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins.
Although crime rates have decreased since 1984, concerns about safety have grown in the era of social media. The Olympics are considered a national special security event, with the U.S. Secret Service leading security planning supported by federal resources.
Law enforcement from LA city and county traveled to Paris to learn and assist with security preparations for the 2028 games.
The city now faces more visible homelessness with numerous encampments on the streets, a crisis that may not be resolved before the games.
In a similar move, Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to withhold funding from cities unable to address encampments.
Leading up to the Paris Games, organizers relocated many unhoused individuals, a controversial practice also seen in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and criticized as “social cleansing” by activists.
Adam Burke, the president and CEO of the LA Tourism and Convention Board, believes that Los Angeles is the ideal location for the next Olympics, as it has become one of the world’s leading sports destinations.
Before hosting the Olympics, the city will also host a FIFA World Cup event and U.S. Women’s Open in 2026, as well as another Super Bowl in 2027.
Over the past four years, Los Angeles has seen significant growth in its hotel industry, with the addition of 9,000 new hotel rooms and more expected in the next four years.
To fund the LA28 Olympics, organizers are relying on ticket sales, sponsorships, payments from the International Olympic Committee, and other revenue sources to cover the $6.9 billion budget.
So far, they have secured over $1 billion in domestic corporate sponsorships towards their goal of $2.5 billion.