Los Angeles faces tough questions ahead of 2028 Olympics

According to its recent article, Newsweek features that experts discussed the challenges and opportunities that Los Angeles faces as it prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. 

Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, a significant event that presents both opportunities and challenges for the city. With a history of successful Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, L.A. has the infrastructure and experience to manage such a large-scale global event.

However, concerns about the city's readiness persist, including rising costs, housing shortages, and environmental issues like the recent wildfires in Southern California, which have caused extensive damage and billions of dollars in losses.

While L.A.'s new public transit improvements and iconic venues provide a strong foundation, critics worry about the strain on local communities and the long-term consequences of prioritizing the Olympics over crucial rebuilding efforts.

To address these challenges, Newsweek has consulted with experts to evaluate whether Los Angeles is truly prepared for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Professor Gerard Francisco Sandoval moved from Guatemala to Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympics when I was four years old. A lot has changed since then, not only for immigrants but also for the city itself.

As a city planning expert with a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and a published book about Los Angeles, I believe the city lacks the political, financial, and ecological resources needed to successfully host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

From an ecological standpoint, Los Angeles is a desert that relies on imported water. It lacks sufficient water resources to mitigate climate change-related disasters, such as the ongoing wildfires in the city's dry areas—ironically, some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the region.

The city is grappling with challenges stemming from political leadership failures and corruption. Moreover, hosting the Olympics would only exacerbate the pressure on affordable housing in Los Angeles. Thousands of visitors would descend upon the city, competing for accommodations through housing-sharing services with locals who are already struggling to pay rent or are part of the city's growing homeless population. Instead of funneling funds into the Olympics, Los Angeles needs to make more strategic investments in affordable housing.

Dr. James K. Mitchell has said that every past Olympic Games has taken place without the occurrence of a sudden, major catastrophe. However, the January 2025 fires in Los Angeles highlighted challenges that are already stretching the region's advanced emergency preparedness system to its breaking point.

If similar fires or other regional hazards were to occur during mid-July 2028, ensuring the success of the Olympic Games could become impossible. The three and a half years leading up to the event present a valuable opportunity to implement additional safety measures that would improve the chances of success.

Efforts should focus on enhancing public communication, warning, evacuation, and sheltering systems. Additionally, preparations should be made to help individuals and organizations safeguard their properties, such as through fire-resistant construction, vegetation management, and the installation of secure local water storage systems, among other protective measures.

By Naila Huseynova