Paris Olympics drew curtains to their amazing 17-day run on 11 August 2024 with an extravagant closing ceremony. The words of Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach totally convey the grandness of the Summer 2024 games, “These were sensational Olympic Games from start to finish – or dare I say: these were SEINE-sational Olympic Games from start to finish.” However, the closing ceremony also marked the new countdown for the next Olympic games.

The magnificent Stade de France stadium that hosted the closing ceremony saw the ceremonial handover of the Olympic flag from Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Praise, to Karen Bass, the current mayor of Los Angeles. It kick-started the four-year countdown that will end when the curtain rises at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. That’s right; following the enchanting Paris Olympics, the spotlight shifts to the city of dreams for the ultimate athletic spectacle. That will be the third time “La La Land” will host the biggest athletic event. The city has previously witnessed the grand display of athletic prowess in 1932 and 1984. Let’s delve into the details of the Los Angeles Olympics.

Official Dates for the LA28 Games

Los Angeles will host the LA28 Olympic ceremony on July 14, 2028, which will officially kick start the supreme athletic event. The gala will continue for 17 days, concluding on July 30, 2028, with a grand closing ceremony. Los Angeles won the bid for the 2028 Olympics in 2017 at the 131st IOC Session in Lima, Peru. With that, it became the third city after London and Paris to host the Olympics three times and the only non-European to do so.

After the conclusion of the summer events, Los Angeles will then host the Paralympics from August 15, 2028, to August 27, 2028. However, unlike the summer events, LA will host the Paralympics for the first time, marking a historic moment for the Paralympic movement in the United States.

What Will Be Special About the LA28 Olympics?

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics are set to break new ground regarding community engagement and cultural significance. According to LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans, “The LA28 Games will be unlike any other, showcasing the best of Southern California’s exceptional stadiums and world-class culture to athletes and fans alike. This milestone makes the Games real for every athlete actively training for their LA28 dream and the fans who follow the journey.” Likewise, the LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman has emphasized that city cultural diversity will offer a perfect backdrop for the biggest athletic event, “the Games will reflect our community.”

Besides the cultural extravaganza, the LA28 will mark another milestone in terms of the number of sports categories. Skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing will feature as the core sporting category at the Los Angeles Olympics. Likewise, squash, cricket, flag football, and lacrosse will be featured as optional sports. But beyond the massive display of talent and grit, LA28 will also mark the humongous opportunities it will bring to every corner of LA. According to the former Mayor of LA, Eric Garcetti, “This will bring vast opportunity into every corner of the city, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations of Angelenos,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. Most notable is the $160 million investment from the IOC and LA28 in PlayLA, ensuring low-cost or no-cost sports programs for kids across Los Angeles. Indeed, the Angle Olympics will be the perfect blend of cultural significance and sporting legacy, showcasing the city’s diverse heritage and inspiring a whole breed of new-generation athletes.