The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles!

The 2028 Summer Olympics, officially designated as the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, represent a significant event for Los Angeles and the United States. Scheduled to run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, these Games are the culmination of a unique bidding process. Los Angeles initially vied for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

However, a series of withdrawals by other candidate cities led the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to explore a concurrent awarding of the 2024 and 2028 Games. This innovative approach aimed to provide stability and certainty for future Olympic host cities. Ultimately, Paris was selected as the preferred host for 2024, with Los Angeles agreeing to host four years later.

This agreement was formally ratified at the 131st IOC Session in Lima, Peru, on September 13, 2017. This decision marked a strategic move by the IOC to secure two world-class host cities for consecutive Summer Games.

Los Angeles' selection as the host city for 2028 is historically noteworthy. It will be the fifth Summer Olympics and the ninth Olympic Games overall to be hosted by the United States, underscoring the nation's long-standing relationship with the Olympic movement. More specifically, Los Angeles becomes the third city globally to host the Summer Olympics three times, following in the footsteps of London (1908, 1948, 2012) and Paris (1900, 1924, 2024).

This achievement positions LA as a truly iconic Olympic city. Furthermore, it breaks the European dominance in multi-time hosting, making Los Angeles the first non-European city to reach this milestone. The Games will also be the first Summer Olympics held under the IOC presidency of Kirsty Coventry, marking a new era for the organization.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are set to showcase a dynamic and evolving sports program. Several sports that debuted as optional events in Tokyo 2020 – skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing – have been elevated to the core event program, reflecting their growing global popularity and appeal to younger audiences. The Games will also introduce flag football and squash as optional sports, signaling the IOC's willingness to embrace new disciplines.

Excitingly, baseball/softball returns to the Olympic program, and cricket makes a historic comeback after a hiatus since the 1900 Paris Games. Lacrosse also returns as a medal event for the first time since 1908. Even traditional sports are being updated; modern pentathlon is expected to replace show jumping with an obstacle course race, adapting to contemporary athletic trends and spectator interests.

The 2028 Los Angeles Games are planned to leverage existing infrastructure, aiming for a cost-effective and sustainable event. While Los Angeles is the primary host city, the organizing committee has outlined plans to utilize venues across the Greater Los Angeles area. This distributed model allows for efficient use of facilities and spreads the Olympic experience.

Notably, two subsites are planned for Oklahoma City, marking a significant geographical expansion of the Games' footprint. This strategy highlights a modern approach to Olympic hosting, balancing the concentration of major events with broader regional engagement and logistical feasibility. The inclusion of Oklahoma City demonstrates a commitment to making the Games accessible across different parts of the host nation.