Will LA 2028 remain in shadow of 1984?

The three Olympiads that preceded the Los Angeles 1984 Games had each left a bitter after-taste:

• 1972 Munich Games were marred by a terrorist attack that killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches in the Olympic village.
• 1976 Montreal Games saddled that city with a debt of nearly $1.5 billion, which was not paid off until 2006.
• 1980 Moscow Games were crippled when 65 countries chose to boycott in response to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in the prior year.

In the aftermath of those three Games, the Olympic movement hit an all-time low. Indeed, few countries contemplated making a bid for the 1984 Games, and only Los Angeles pursued and was ultimately awarded the Games of the XXIII Olympiad.

Despite significant concerns, the ’84 Games were widely regarded at the time as the most successful Olympic Games in history. There were no serious security problems; traffic was far better than expected and far smoother than normal; and the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee generated a net profit of $235 million.

These same concerns exist for the 2028 Games, but is magnified by less political unity and a general distrust in local government. Plus, the Games’ organizing committee is now being questioned for their lack of transparency. The Olympics will happen, but at what cost to the citizens?

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Sailing Program (July 16-28):
First Week – July 16-20
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class – Long Beach, CA
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL – Long Beach, CA

Second Week – July 23-28
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7 – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6 – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470 – Los Angeles, CA
Men’s Skiff – 49er – Los Angeles, CA
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX – Los Angeles, CA
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17 – Los Angeles, CA

For more details, click here.