CNN recently covered the conclusion of the Paris Games, where the Olympic flame was extinguished and the Olympic flag was passed on to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games. The handover ceremony was filled with Hollywood stardust, with Tom Cruise leaping from the roof of the Stade de France and Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers performing.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the event is set to kick off on July 14, 2028, with the opening ceremony and run until July 30. The Paralympic Games will follow from August 15 to August 27. The city of Los Angeles, which has previously hosted the Olympics in 1932 and 1984, will utilize existing infrastructure for the upcoming Games, with athletes being housed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Venues for the 2028 Olympics will be spread across Los Angeles, including iconic locations such as the LA Memorial Coliseum, which will host the opening ceremonies and athletics competitions. The Arena in downtown Los Angeles will be transformed into a gymnastics venue, and the 1932 Pool in Exposition Park will host diving events. Additionally, swimming events will take place in a temporary pool at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Los Angeles will also utilize its coastline for Olympic events, with the Long Beach Waterfront hosting marathon swimming and triathlon, and Belmont Shore in Long Beach hosting sailing. Oklahoma City will play a supporting role, hosting canoe slalom and softball events.
One of the unique aspects of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is the city’s goal of hosting a „car-free“ Games. Mayor Karen Bass has emphasized the importance of public transportation and remote working to reduce traffic congestion during the event.
In terms of sports, the 2028 Olympics will see the addition of five new sports to the program: flag football, baseball/softball, cricket, lacrosse, and squash. These sports were chosen to showcase American sports culture and engage new athlete and fan communities.
While some sports like surfing, climbing, and skateboarding have injected new energy into the Olympics in recent years, others like boxing and modern pentathlon are facing uncertainties. Boxing’s future in the Olympics is on hold due to issues with the sport’s governing body, while the modern pentathlon will see showjumping replaced by obstacle racing in LA.
The final program of events for the 2028 Olympics will be finalized in the coming years, leading up to the Games. With a mix of traditional and new sports, iconic venues, and a focus on sustainability, the Los Angeles Olympics are shaping up to be a memorable and exciting event for athletes and spectators alike.