The latest wildfires destroying the city have sparked a complicated discussion concerning Los Angeles’ readiness to host the 2028 Olympic Games. Although key sites that will be used for the Olympics have so far been unaffected, the fires’ close proximity has raised worries amongst locals and officials alike.
As fires tore through the Pacific Palisades, the Riviera Country Club — which was to host the Olympic golf competition — barely avoided destruction. Despite this near-miss, most of the more than 80 Olympic sites are still outside of high-risk fire zones. Given that the Olympics are held in July when the Santa Ana winds that worsen wildfire conditions are generally absent, historical evidence indicates that the chances of such catastrophes occurring during the Games are minimal.
The present problem, however, highlights the more general difficulties of holding a major event in an area that is becoming more vulnerable to natural disasters. A professor of sport and geopolitical economy at Skema Business School in Paris, Simon Chadwick highlighted the seriousness of the situation, saying, “The situation is grave, and given the prospect of significant climate change, you do have to wonder whether the current situation might be repeated, possibly even during the Games.” He further questioned if a mega-event like this could be insured under these conditions.
Governor Gavin Newsom is launching “LA 2.0,” a plan to rebuild and reimagine Los Angeles ahead of hosting the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics.
Speaking with Meet the Press, he called it a chance to showcase LA’s pride while transforming the city after devastating wildfires. pic.twitter.com/EqMTkFmXTz
— Shea Jordan Smith (@shea_jordan) January 12, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom has reiterated the state’s commitment to hosting the Olympics in the face of the escalating tragedy, telling NBC Today show that planning for the 2028 Olympics and the 2026 Fifa World Cup — where eight matches take place in Los Angeles — was on track.
The 2027 Super Bowl and the 2026 FIFA World Cup are two events he sees as chances to highlight the community’s resiliency and solidarity. Newsom said, “My humble position, and it’s not just being naively optimistic, (is) that only reinforces the imperative (of) moving quickly, doing it in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation.”
Notwithstanding these guarantees, many contend that the city’s present problems point to structural issues that might make it more difficult to host the Olympics effectively. According to Eric Sheehan of the NOlympics LA — a coalition against the Games — the fires show that Los Angeles cannot provide for its citizens and handle the expectations of the biggest athletic event in the world.
Conservative commentators have quickly called for Los Angeles to lose its hosting rights for the Olympics. Right-wing figure Charlie Kirk took to X, stating, “The Los Angeles Olympics should be called off.”
He added, “If you can’t maintain basic infrastructure like fire hydrants, you’re not fit to host the Olympics. Move the Games to cities like Dallas or Miami, where athletes can compete in a place capable of safely managing and delivering such an event.”
Financial factors are also very important. About USD 7 billion of the Games’ budget is privately funded, but taxpayers would probably foot the tab if there were any overruns. The recent wildfires have put additional strain on resources and may make Olympic financial preparation much more difficult.
Critics argue that hosting the Olympics will exacerbate Los Angeles’ already dire housing crisis. As the city scrambles to prepare for the Games, concerns over gentrification, mass displacement, and prioritising Olympic-related infrastructure over affordable housing have taken centre stage. Activist groups like NOlympics LA have pointed out that public funds allocated to Olympic projects could instead address the housing emergency affecting tens of thousands of Angelenos.
This debate has intensified following reports of skyrocketing rents and evictions in neighbourhoods near planned Olympic venues. Some locals fear that the Games will transform Los Angeles into a playground for tourists and corporations, leaving the city’s most vulnerable populations behind.
Back to Paris?
While Paris could serve as a potential fallback, given its established infrastructure and recent experience hosting major events, the likelihood of moving the 2028 Games remains slim. The city’s preparedness and ability to deliver a seamless event are evident, but with time running short and the complexities of such a shift, experts agree that Los Angeles will remain the host, despite its mounting challenges.
Therefore, experts think that moving the Games is unlikely despite the difficulties. Given the limited schedule and logistical challenges, finding a substitute host at this point would be practically impossible, according to Jonathan Aronson, a lecturer at the University of Southern California. “It will simply continue,” he declared.
The road to the 2028 Olympics seems paved with challenges as Los Angeles struggles with the consequences of the wildfires. The situation necessitates striking a careful balance between short-term recovery operations and long-term planning to guarantee that the city can successfully and safely welcome the globe in 2028.
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