LA28
Bump, set, spike
Santa Monica mounted a sustained, publicly transparent campaign to challenge what LA28 was offering. And, in the end, that's probably what sent the organizing committee packing for other shores
Significant headwinds
On Friday we saw the first serious challenge of LA28's venue plan, which had gone largely uncontested by LA city leaders. And we saw an LA city councilmember openly accuse LA28 of making backroom deals to create that venue plan
LA28 wants to become a civic organization now
Just one question: why didn't LA28 think of itself as a civic organization before?
Rising to the occasion
Less than four years out, the citywide vision we're supposed to be rallying behind has yet to be revealed by LA28. And now LA's recovery has become inextricably bound to the 2028 deadline that we're all haphazardly hurtling towards without a plan
Can LA still host the Olympics?
The IOC doesn't care if LA holds its games or not. And perhaps more troublingly, the city of LA will happily brush aside its own emergencies in order to stage a megaevent
The no-build (until-we-need-to-build-something-fast) games
LA could leverage this ordinance to make it easier to create new public spaces, public bathrooms, and even public housing leading up to 2028
Paul's boutique
With less than 3.5 years until the opening ceremonies, the termed-out council president emeritus is taking on a new megaevent department, a new role, and a whole lot of city baggage
They were always Trump's games
In case anyone forgot this fact, LA28 representatives repeatedly reminded everyone about their close working relationship with the president-elect
"Without these workers the games will not happen"
A sternly worded letter sent on behalf of over 30,000 hospitality workers to the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee, along with the heads of the IOC, LA28, and FIFA, urges them to endorse the Olympic wage — or there might not be any games at all
Flag salute
Giving the Olympic and Paralympic flags a good home in City Hall should have been the most anticipated and least controversial task on the handover checklist
How Boston brought the Olympics to LA
"If your city has politicians telling you that the only way they're going to fix your transit system is by throwing a party for people from around the world, you go get yourself a better politician"
Opening arguments
Before you know it, LA’s opening ceremonies will be here — but they’re not going to be where most Angelenos will expect them to be