“Your story seems like it’s out of nowhere.” The TV reporter’s disbelief mirrored what many felt on Sunday, March 16, under the clear Los Angeles sky. But LA—a city that has seen its share of champions and dreamers—just witnessed another remarkable chapter in sports history. Three years from now, the world will gather here for the 2028 Olympics, where new legends will arise. But will any of them match the feat of the athlete who just conquered the LA Marathon? That’s the question. And here’s another: Could this victory be the first step toward an Olympic dream?

On Sunday, Matt Richtman etched his name in history. The Elburn, Illinois, native clocked 2:07:56 to win the LA Marathon—becoming the first American champion in 31 years. The last time the title stayed on home soil was in 1994, when Paul Pilkington took the crown. But Matt’s win wasn’t just historic—it was dominant. He crossed the finish line a full three minutes ahead of his closest competitor, leaving no doubt about his authority on the course. As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics loom, a natural question arises: Could Matt Richtman be competing on this same stage in three years? After his victory, Richtman spoke with John W. Davis of Press-Telegram about a unique connection between his win and the upcoming Olympics.

“You know, again, we do have a lot of time,” Richtman said. “But the course, I know they haven’t planned it out yet. It’s probably something similar or at least on similar parts.” If so, Richtman might have just given the world a preview of what’s coming—perhaps even his own Olympic journey. His marathon victory wasn’t just about breaking a 31-year drought; it might have been the first step toward making history once again. He didn’t refuse to accept that fact. 

As a Kaneland High School alum, Matt Richtman knows that experience is key. Winning the LA Marathon wasn’t just a historic moment—it was a stepping stone toward an even bigger stage: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Competing in Sunday’s race gave Richtman valuable insight into what it might be like to run in the Olympic marathon. However, his excitement came with a message for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has yet to finalize the marathon course for 2028. While uncertainty looms, Richtman remains undeterred. He is prepared to go through every level of training in the coming years to ensure he’s ready for the ultimate test.

“You know, three years out, three, four years out, that’s really important to me and, you know, something to train for, for sure,” he stated with confidence. And why wouldn’t he be confident?

In only his second-ever marathon, Richtman accomplished what no American had done in 31 years. He rewrote history before even reaching his prime. Yet, while Richtman looks ahead, the issues surrounding the LA Olympics marathon course remain unresolved. As the clock ticks toward 2028, the question remains—will the IOC settle the uncertainty, or will athletes be left guessing? There was an answer, though, right after the devastating wildfire in LA. 

The LA Olympics slated to happen without being disturbed

At the start of 2025, Los Angeles faced one of its worst nightmares—a devastating wildfire that left behind significant destruction. According to the LA Times, damages could reach a staggering $350 million. In the wake of such a disaster, questions naturally arose: Could the city still stand tall and host an event as massive as the 2028 Olympic Games? Doubt filled the air, but one key broadcaster had a different perspective.

Scott Young, a senior official at Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) Sports Europe—the main broadcaster for LA 2028—offered a reassuring update to The Athletic. Speaking in January, Young confirmed that he had met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials, who remained confident in their plans.

“We have had conversations, and there is no noise or discussion right now that it will have any impact on LA 2028,” Young stated, shutting down concerns. He further emphasized that while the wildfires caused significant damage, Olympic infrastructure remained untouched. “No infrastructure was significantly impacted, so they are not looking to rebuild anything that was required for the Olympic Games,” he added. In other words, despite nature’s fury, the city’s Olympic vision remains intact. The road to LA 2028 might have a few unexpected hurdles, but according to the IOC, the Games will go on—uninterrupted and undeterred.