The next Olympics 2028 is all set to happen in Los Angeles. The transition was marked when the Olympic flag was passed on to Mayor Karen Bass at the Paris closing ceremony. The handover was conducted by an exciting pre-recorded sequence that has Tom Cruise in it. He kicked off the 2028 countdown by performing a stunt on a parachute, plane, and motorcycle.
History of Los Angeles’ as an Olympic host
Los Angeles will be hosting the Olympics for the third time now. The city has hosted once in 1932 and the second time in 1984. The year 1932 had an impact on the Great Depression but the event still produced unforgettable moments like the victories of American athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharia in the new women’s category. In the year 1984, the eastern block countries boycotted the Olympics as a result the US dominated the greatest sports event in the world. The opening ceremony had a blend of modern and classical touches. The event included a torch-lighting ceremony by decathlon champion Rafer Johnson and a performance by ”Star Wars” composer John Williams. Players like Michael Jordan, Carl Lewis, and Mary Lo Retton became famous during this edition of the Olympics.
LA’s Olympics 2024 preparations are in full swing
The city will not be building any new venues for the game but will renovate the existing ones. One of the world-famous SoFi Stadium which has already hosted many international events will play the role of a major venue. The opening ceremony is also scheduled to take place over here. The organizers are anticipating that it will be the largest swimming venue ever.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles public transport has expanded its network since its last Olympics but challenges are still there. A new subway extension to UCLA which will be the Olympic Village is on the plan. The motive is to improve accessibility for the players. The city is also planning to ease the traffic through a project named the Inglewood People Mover but is also dealing with funding challenges.
Los Angeles is gearing up to make the 2028 Olympics a memorable one by mixing modernity with the city’s historic legacy.
(With inputs from AP)