The countdown ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics began Friday as the opening ceremony for the international event is 1,000 days away.
The ceremony is set to take place on July 14 in a shared format at both the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. It will be the third time the ceremony has taken place in the Coliseum, previously hosting it in 1932 and 1984.
To mark the date, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on Friday her “Games for All” vision, which emphasizes increasing inclusivity and sustainability in LA. The vision also includes the city’s growing public transit system and the Games’ impact on local job opportunities.
“The 2028 Games are an opportunity to reimagine our infrastructure, strengthen community resilience, and expand opportunity for all Angelenos,” Bass said. “We will accelerate street projects, streamline city processes and permitting requirements, and make sure that we are taking advantage of the economic impact.”
Alongside her vision, Bass issued an executive directive to streamline the city’s permitting process, ordering any building permit applications to be reviewed within 45 days. The mayor’s directive also introduced a self-certification process, which requires the city to report back on certain “critical projects” within 30 days.
Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics twice, and the 2028 Games will be the Olympics’ first time back in the U.S. since 1996 in Atlanta.
It was announced that some sports, such as field hockey and water polo, will be played before the opening ceremony. Canoe slalom will take place on the same day as the opening event in Oklahoma City, which will also host softball.
The milestone came three days after President Donald Trump threatened to have the event hosted elsewhere.
“If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move (the Olympics) to another location,” Trump said.
Bass responded to Trump’s comments, saying they won’t slow LA down.
“As we prepare to welcome the world for the Olympic & Paralympic Games, we will not allow empty accusations & falsehoods to distract us from continuing to make meaningful progress on the issues that matter to Angelenos,” Bass said on social media. “The 2028 Games are not moving anywhere.”
The 2028 Summer Olympics will start on July 15 and end on July 30. Athletes competing in triathlon at Venice Beach will be the first to be awarded medals, while the swimming final events will close the Games at SoFi Stadium. The Paralympic Games will be from July 15 to Aug. 28.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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