Doomsday Scenario”: Concerns Grow Over LA’s Ability to Host 2028 Olympics Amid Wildfires
Under the glow of a full moon this week, the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum stood ready for action. Its floodlights shone brightly, alongside the Olympic rings displayed at the entrance of the 77,500-seat stadium. However, confidence in Los Angeles’ ability to host the 2028 Olympics appears to be waning, as devastating wildfires sweep through the region.
The ongoing fires have raised serious concerns about the city’s capacity to host not only the Olympics but also other significant events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 Super Bowl.
Gary Roberts, a retired sports law expert, outlined a potential “doomsday scenario” that could lead to the relocation or cancellation of these events. “The real question isn’t whether it’s possible but how severe the situation would need to become to trigger such a decision,” Roberts shared with USA Today.
While Olympic and city officials have concentrated on aiding wildfire victims and planning recovery efforts, the discussion about LA’s readiness has intensified.
Despite the devastation caused by the fires, some experts remain hopeful. Sports economists Andrew Zimbalist and Victor Matheson assert that LA is still on course to host the Games as scheduled. “As terrible as the fires have been, I believe LA28 will be fine,” Zimbalist remarked, referring to the organizing committee for the Olympics.
None of the chosen Olympic venues have been directly impacted by the fires. However, critics like conservative commentator Charlie Kirk have raised doubts about LA’s preparedness, stating on social media, “If you can’t fill a fire hydrant, you aren’t qualified to host the Olympics.”
Casey Wasserman, chair of the LA28 committee, has reaffirmed the commitment to utilize private funds to cover the $7 billion budget. However, if expenses escalate, Los Angeles and the state of California could face hundreds of millions of dollars in overruns.
While the fires have caused the destruction of over 12,000 structures, this accounts for only a small portion of the city’s overall infrastructure. Importantly, none of the Olympic venues have suffered any damage. The Riviera Country Club, chosen to host the golf events, is the venue facing the greatest risk, situated in Pacific Palisades, one of the areas most severely affected.
Experts like Matheson suggest that even if the Riviera experiences significant damage, there are plenty of alternative venues available, thanks to LA’s wealth of championship-level athletic facilities.
History demonstrates that major events can occur shortly after disasters. London held the Olympics in 1948, just four years after enduring bombings during World War II. Likewise, Mexico City hosted the 1986 World Cup a year after a catastrophic earthquake.
“The Olympic community is one of the most resilient in the world,” remarked former U.S. Olympian Gary Hall Jr., who lost his Olympic medals when the home he rented in Pacific Palisades was destroyed by fire. “Challenges like these are what this organization is built to tackle.”
Despite the prevailing optimism, some are questioning whether the city can genuinely rise to the challenge. Hall expressed concerns about the leadership of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and state officials, stating, “I have very little confidence in state and city leadership to handle this effectively.”
As the fires rage on, some experts, including sports historian Mark Dyreson, have suggested the possibility of relocating the Games back to Paris, which successfully hosted the 2024 Olympics.
While the future remains uncertain, Zimbalist captured the current sentiment: “Bottom line: as horrific as the fires have been, I think LA28 will be okay.”
For now, Los Angeles’ capacity to recover from this disaster will be put to the test as it gears up to welcome the world in 2028.
