The Olympic Games still seem a long way off – for it will take place in three years, in 2028 – yet US media are massively suggesting that the world’s biggest sporting event is in jeopardy due to the devastating and still-growing fires in and around the city. According to local media, the fires are becoming too large and destructive, and now even Paris is already being mentioned as an alternative venue for the 2028 Olympics.
Paris hosted the Olympics in 2024. For Los Angeles, the 2028 OS would be the third Games: previously the city hosted the event in 1932 and 1984. But, the event seems to be in jeopardy, as the fire approaches the campus of UCLA University, where the Olympic and Paralympic villages are to be housed. Furthermore, the venues hosting archery, BMX’ing and skateboarding (Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, ed.) and the location of the opening ceremony, swim events, rugby and cycling (Carson Stadium) is also in danger.
Speculation about the 2028 Olympics may seem early, but the area devastated by the fires is currently already larger than cities like San Francisco, Miami and Boston. Sixteen people have died in the past week. Of course the Los Angeles Olympic Games are threatened not only by the possible destruction of event venues, but also the destruction of needed infrastructure.
The damage from the fires is currently estimated at over 130 billion euros and is obviously rising rapidly. The estimated cost for the Los Angeles Olympics is estimated at about 7 billion euros.
