The Olympic events in Paris have concluded, and the renowned five-ringed flag is set to be passed to Los Angeles for the upcoming 2028 Games.
U.S. citizens who attended this year’s Olympics expressed their excitement and high expectations for the games in LA.
LA resident Marisa shared her optimism that the event would be infused with local “Hollywood glamour,” although she noted that Paris has raised the bar significantly.
Some Americans voiced concerns about whether Los Angeles could replicate the extensive public transport system found in France.
With the countdown to LA officially underway, here’s what we know so far about the next summer Games, which will also highlight LA’s first-ever Paralympics.
When and where will events take place?
The opening ceremony for the Los Angeles Olympics is scheduled for July 14, 2028, with the closing ceremony occurring two weeks later on July 30.
The Paralympic opening ceremony will be held on August 15, followed by the closing on August 27.
More than 50 Olympic and Paralympic sports will be showcased across over 800 events.
The 2028 Games will mark the third time LA has hosted the Olympics. Event organizers emphasize sustainability, asserting that no new permanent structures will be created for the Games.
Instead, numerous existing venues will be utilized, including the LA Memorial Coliseum, which will again host athletics as it did during both the 1932 and 1984 Olympics.
In a city celebrated for its scenic beaches, beach volleyball is set to take place on the sand—a feature not available in Paris this year.
Some venues will require adaptations, such as transforming the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to accommodate swimming competitions with the installation of an Olympic-sized pool.
Furthermore, student housing at UCLA will serve as the athletes’ village, complete with training facilities.
However, the feasibility of achieving “car-free” Games remains to be seen. The challenge of transporting thousands of visitors across sprawling Los Angeles is significant, with plans currently focused on operating a fleet of buses, following the cancellation of major rail network upgrades.
The financial burden is equally daunting; the latest budget projects nearly $7 billion in expenses for the Games, exclusive of any transportation improvements.
Which sports are in – and out?
The Los Angeles Games will not only feature traditional Olympic sports but also reintroduce some disciplines that have been absent for years, along with exciting new events.
- Cricket will make a return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900, with T20 format tournaments expected.
- Lacrosse is making a comeback as well, introducing a new format where teams of six compete to score.
- Baseball/softball will also return, after being omitted from the Paris 2024 Games.
- Squash will have its inaugural Olympic appearance following years of campaigning.
- Flag football, a non-contact variation of American football, is set to debut, showcasing this rapidly growing sport.
- Additionally, a new Paralympic sport, Paraclimbing, will challenge athletes to scale a 15m wall.
Other newer Olympic sports like surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing will continue to be featured.
However, breaking, which debuted at the Paris Games, will not be included, disappointing some fans as this dance form was pioneered in the U.S.
Who will be the sport stars to watch in LA?
The LA Games promise to showcase some of the biggest names from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Keely Hodgkinson, who claimed gold in the women’s 800m, will be 26 during the next Olympics, still in her prime.
Another standout was swimmer Léon Marchand, who dazzled audiences and secured four gold medals in Paris.
Marchand will also be 26 in 2028, poised to defend his titles at the LA Games.
The skateboarding event will likely feature familiar faces, including young talents like 11-year-old Zheng Haohao and Britain’s Sky Brown, who will be only 20 by 2028.
The iconic gymnast Simone Biles will be 31 in 2028 and may still be in contention for another Olympic appearance, while 100m champion Noah Lyles will also be 31 but aims to emulate Carl Lewis in defending his title.
Team GB might see a shift in its roster, as swimmer Adam Peaty has hinted his time may be over, and diver Tom Daley just returned from retirement.
Nonetheless, rower Helen Glover hopes to participate in her fourth Games at the age of 42.
What’s the view from LA?
Fans at a Los Angeles sports bar recently cheered on the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team competing in Paris, highlighting the community’s enthusiasm for the upcoming Games.
While anticipation builds for LA 2028, residents express mixed feelings, particularly regarding the city’s notorious traffic and transit issues.
During the bidding process, there was hope that hosting the Olympics would prompt improvements to transportation, but the abandonment of rail expansions and reliance on buses has been a source of frustration.
With a significant influx of tourists expected, concerns about navigating the city’s traffic have also surfaced.
Los Angeles faces challenges, including a high rate of homelessness, and some residents hope the Games may serve as a catalyst for positive change.
While LA may not boast the same iconic landmarks as Paris, local charm and creativity could provide a unique backdrop for the Games.
“It’s not Paris, but LA has Hollywood,” one resident highlighted, emphasizing the city’s potential to shine.
Looking back at Los Angeles 1984… and 1932
The last time Los Angeles hosted the Olympics in 1984 coincided with a unique cultural moment, as the nation was gripped by the sounds of Prince’s chart-topping hits.
The 1984 Games were marked by a significant Soviet boycott, but the U.S. still delivered an impressive performance, with Great Britain securing five gold medals.
Among the standout athletes of 1984 was Carl Lewis, who achieved legendary status by clinching gold in four events.
Notably, the 1984 Olympics also marked the introduction of the women’s marathon.
In 1932, the Games were conducted amidst the Great Depression, attracting smaller crowds but with an enduring spirit as approximately 100,000 people attended the opening ceremony and the now-iconic medals podium made its debut.
