Los Angeles city officials have confirmed the news that the city will host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Eric Garcetti, mayor of the city announced that Los Angeles has always been a game-changer and will prove it once again with the Summer Olympics 2028, according to a report by The new York Times. LA wanted to host the 2024 Games but, eventually, withdrew to allow Paris to hold it and, in exchange, bagged the 2028 Games.
The last time the United States hosted the Olympics was in 2002. Los Angeles has successful past experience of hosting the 1984 Games which will be a major advantage.
The initial plan was to organize the Games in Boston but the United States Olympic Committee selected Los Angeles in 2015 because of local opposition from Boston.
How will Los Angeles benefit?
New York Times reports that this will be the third time Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics since the 1932 and 1984 games. Officials believe that the city could use an extra four years to plan for a successful 2028 Summer Olympics. This will be an advantage, in the opinion of Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the city’s bid committee, as the organizing committee will benefit from the 11 years it will have at its disposal for preparations and improvements to its infrastructure.
The stage is set and once the authorities of Los Angeles City Council and the United States Olympic Committee grant approval, the acceptance will be sent to the IOC for its vote in September.
The official announcement will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at a meeting in Lima, Peru, on Sept. 13.
The financial aspects
Los Angeles already has a number of stadiums and arenas. Some of these were constructed for the 1984 Olympics. The city also has stadiums that belong to major sports teams apart from university campuses.
The organizing committee of 2028 Summer Olympics is looking at these and other similar options to keep construction costs low. However, some of the arenas may require upgrades to accommodate the latest technology and there could arise a need for fresh construction to cater to additional sports, if these are added to the Games.
According to present estimates, the cost could be in excess of $5-billion and it is felt that this could be absorbed through funding from private sources as well as ticket sales. It is understood that under the agreement with IOC, the Los Angeles organizing committee can expect to receive an amount of at least $1.8 billion apart from advance payments of around $340-million.
The Summer Olympics provides opportunities to athletes, swimmers, gymnasts and other sportspersons to compete at international level and earn recognition. Previous records will tumble and new ones will be created and, by the time 2028 arrives, there will be new faces on the scene vying for recognition. The United States has usually always done well in the medal tally and it is expected that the trend will continue in 2028.
