The grand finale of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris concluded with a vibrant handover ceremony, symbolically passing the Olympic torch to Los Angeles, the next host city. A Californian spectacle featuring Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers painted a picture of sun-kissed beaches and palm trees, setting the stage for the 2028 Games. However, this idyllic image has been recently challenged as wildfires have swept through parts of Los Angeles, impacting communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
Despite these devastating fires, Los Angeles remains firmly on track to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. Crucially, none of the major Olympic venues or athlete accommodations have sustained damage. The focus now is on the city’s resilience and its determination to rebuild and recover in time to welcome millions for the 17-day global sporting event.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a historic venue selected to host track and field events and the opening ceremony for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Casey Wasserman, Chairman of LA28, the organizing committee, emphasized Los Angeles’s unwavering spirit. “Los Angeles is defined by its resilience and determination,” Wasserman stated, highlighting the city’s unity in overcoming adversity. He assured that when Los Angeles hosts the world in 2028, its spirit will be brighter than ever. LA28 has prioritized supporting the affected communities and first responders during this challenging period.
Mayor Karen Bass’s office echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to public safety and property protection, securing necessary resources for fire suppression and recovery. California Governor Gavin Newsom also voiced his commitment, proposing a “Marshall Plan” to aid the wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles. He acknowledged the opportunity for collaboration and national support, recalling President Trump’s role in bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles.
The 2028 Olympics will not be confined to just downtown Los Angeles; events will be spread across Southern California. Venues will stretch as far south as Temecula and eastward to Oklahoma City, which will host softball and canoe slalom events. The iconic L.A. Memorial Coliseum is slated to host track and field events and the opening ceremony, while the state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is expected to be the venue for swimming competitions.
Looking ahead to the preparations for LA28, organizers and city officials may face resource competition with rebuilding efforts in fire-damaged areas. The demand for contractors and construction materials is likely to increase. Historically, natural disasters have occasionally impacted the Olympics. Jeremy Fuchs, an Olympic historian, pointed to the 1908 Rome Olympics, which were relocated to London after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius diverted funds to recovery efforts. London also stepped in to host the 1948 Games shortly after World War II, known as the “Austerity Games” due to post-war conditions.
John Hoberman, a sports historian, believes that despite the wildfires, the situation in Los Angeles is not comparable to the war-affected Olympics of 1920 and 1948. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena and Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, venues for soccer and golf in 2028 respectively, were also dangerously close to the recent fires. However, Hoberman believes it would take an even greater catastrophe for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to reconsider Los Angeles as the host city.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed solidarity with Los Angeles, praising the firefighters and emergency services. He confirmed the IOC’s focus is currently on supporting the fire relief efforts. Despite the challenges, Los Angeles is resolutely preparing to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic Games, showcasing its resilience and the enduring Olympic spirit.
