From the Eiffel to Hollywood: LA's Road to the 2028 Olympics
As the Olympic torch passed from Paris to Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass accepted the flag with an air of grandeur befitting the occasion. She then handed it off to none other than Tom Cruise, who, in a jaw-dropping pre-recorded sequence involving a motorcycle, plane, and parachute, ignited the countdown to the 2028 Olympics. Yes, Cruise did his best Ethan Hunt impression, but this time, the mission was to usher in a new era of the Games in the City of Angels.
Los Angeles is no stranger to the Olympics, having hosted the Games twice before. Each edition has left an indelible mark, both in local history and the annals of international sports. The 1932 Olympics introduced the world to an LA that was blossoming into a major cultural and economic hub. Fast forward to 1984, and the city showcased a vibrant, modern metropolis capable of hosting a global spectacle with flair. Now, as we look forward to 2028, the city aims to present a youthful, optimistic, and transformative approach to the Games.
According to Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the chief athlete officer for the LA 2028 organizing committee, the upcoming Games are set to encapsulate the spirit of Southern California. In her words, they aim to be modern, youthful, and brimming with optimism. Evans, along with LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman and Councilmember Traci Park, is determined to make the 2028 Olympics more than just a sporting event. They see it as an opportunity to bring about transformative change, both for the city and the global community.
A skeptical observer might point out that Los Angeles, infamous for its traffic congestion, may seem an odd choice for such a grand event. However, the city has been diligently working to prove the naysayers wrong. When the Olympics were awarded in 2017, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti seized the opportunity to use the long lead time for meticulous planning. Unlike the hasty, last-minute scrambles seen in some other host cities, LA has been methodically laying the groundwork for a successful event.
Part of this preparation involves significant transportation upgrades. While LA’s subway system may not rival the elegance of the Paris Metro, it has seen substantial improvements. Extensions are underway to connect downtown Los Angeles with UCLA, which will house the Olympic Village. With a $900 million boost from federal funding, including $139 million earmarked for transportation improvements by 2028, the city is ambitiously targeting a “car-free” Olympics.
Security, always a top concern for an event of this magnitude, is being rigorously planned. As a national special security event, the LA 2028 Olympics will see the U.S. Secret Service taking the lead, supported by federal resources. This designation ensures a robust security framework aimed at safeguarding athletes, spectators, and the city itself.
So, as the countdown to 2028 begins, Los Angeles stands poised to host an Olympics that promises to be not just memorable, but transformative. With the optimism of Southern California as its guiding light, the city is ready to welcome the world once again, proving that it can indeed be a fitting stage for the greatest show on Earth.
