As the Paris 2024 Olympics come to a close, the spotlight is already shifting to Los Angeles, the host city for the 2028 Summer Games. Here’s a detailed look at what to expect from the upcoming Olympics.
Event Dates and Venues
The Los Angeles Olympics will kick off with the opening ceremony on July 14, 2028, and will wrap up with the closing ceremony on July 30. The Paralympic Games will commence on August 15 and conclude on August 27. The Games will feature over 50 sports and more than 800 events. This will be the third time Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics, following its previous editions in 1932 and 1984.
Sustainability and Venue Plans
Organizers are emphasizing sustainability for the 2028 Games, pledging that no new permanent venues will be constructed. Instead, they will utilize existing facilities. The LA Memorial Coliseum, which hosted events in both the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, will once again be the site for athletics. SoFi Stadium, currently located in Inglewood, will be adapted to include an Olympic swimming pool. Beach volleyball will take place on an actual beach, reflecting LA’s coastal charm.
Student housing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will be transformed into the athletes’ village and training facilities for the summer. A significant challenge will be achieving the promised “car-free” Games, given LA’s notorious traffic. Although plans for a major rail network upgrade were scrapped, organizers are relying on a fleet of buses for transportation. The budget for the Games is projected to be nearly $7 billion, covering event-related expenses and necessary transportation improvements.
New and Returning Sports
The 2028 Games will see the introduction of several new sports and the return of some old favorites. Cricket, last featured in the Olympics in 1900, will make a comeback with T20 matches. Lacrosse will also return, with a new six-a-side format. Baseball and softball will be included after their absence from Paris 2024. Squash will make its Olympic debut, and flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, will be featured. Paraclimbing will be introduced to the Paralympics. However, breaking, which debuted in Paris, will not be part of the 2028 lineup.
Athletes to Watch
Many of the standout athletes from Paris 2024 are expected to compete in Los Angeles. Keely Hodgkinson, who won gold in the women’s 800m, and Léon Marchand, who secured four gold medals in swimming, are anticipated to be major contenders. Skateboarding stars such as Zheng Haohao and Sky Brown may also return. Simone Biles, a standout gymnast from Paris, and sprinter Noah Lyles, who won the men’s 100m, might participate as well. British swimmer Adam Peaty and diver Tom Daley may not return, but rower Helen Glover is considering competing in her fourth Olympics.
Local Views
In Los Angeles, anticipation for the 2028 Games is mixed with concern. While the city is known for hosting major events, it also struggles with heavy traffic and a problematic public transportation system. Residents hope the Games will prompt improvements in these areas and address the city’s homelessness issue. Despite not having the historic landmarks of Paris, LA’s iconic Hollywood glamour is expected to shine through during the Games.
Historical Context
Los Angeles last hosted the Olympics in 1984, during a period marked by a Soviet boycott. The Games saw the US dominate the medal count, with Carl Lewis emerging as a standout athlete. The 1932 Olympics, held during the Great Depression, were shorter and had fewer competitors but were notable for the large crowds and the introduction of the medals podium.
As Los Angeles gears up for the 2028 Olympics, the city aims to combine its Hollywood allure with the grandeur of the Games, promising an event that will be both memorable and impactful.
