Wildfires have been burning in Los Angeles for more than a week. Millions of people have already left their homes. At least 12,000 structures have been destroyed. According to the local police department, another 57,000 structures are at risk due to increased wind speeds.
The 2028 Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, California, USA. Given the damage the city has done in the ongoing fires and is expected to be ahead, is it possible for Los Angeles to host the Olympics? Three years from now, is the time of July-August favorable for ‘The Greatest Show Another Earth.
According to the news agency AFP, none of the more than 80 venues of the Olympic Games have been directly affected by the fire. But experts say Los Angeles will face major challenges in preparing and hosting the Olympic Games amid wildfires and future threats.
Simon Chadwick, a professor of sport and geopolitical economics at Schema Business School in Paris, told The Paper: “The situation is clearly serious. One has to wonder if the same situation can be repeated due to the possibility of significant climate change, even during the Games. ’
None of the Olympic venues have been directly affected, but some are close to fire warning zones. Olympic golf venue Riviera Country Club, archery, BMX and skateboarding venue Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.
However, the good news is that past history shows that the possibility of the ongoing fires spreading or repeating in most venues of the Olympic Games is very low. And the 2028 Olympics will be in July, when the Santa Ana name is not seen blowing. The Santa Ana storm is a major reason why this year’s wildfires have spread over a wide area. Los Angeles also has the experience of hosting two Olympic Games, in 1984 and 1932.
However, some have suggested changing the venue of the 2028 Olympic Games right now. Such as media personality Charlie Kirk. In an X-message, the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA said that the Olympics in Los Angeles should be canceled and moved to Dallas or Miami. Filmmaker and writer Justin Bateman has also called for a review of his decision that Los Angeles will not be able to prepare for the 2028 Olympics.
But California Gov. Gavin Newscom is confident Los Angeles will host the Olympics. Asked on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” how prepared Los Angeles would be to host eight games at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2026 World Cup, the governor said, “President Donald Trump helped get the right to host the Olympic Games in the United States and Los Angeles. The current situation has provided an opportunity for him, for the state, for California, and for the people here, to show their character. ’
Newscom also said that plans have been taken to complete all the arrangements on time, “We have taken a detailed plan. Work has begun on this so that Los Angeles 2.0 can be revived. ’.