“We may not have the Eiffel Tower, but we have the Hollywood sign,” remarked Casey Wasserman, the head of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, as he commented on the challenges and competition involved in organizing and executing the recent Games in Paris, which wrapped up on Sunday.
On Sunday, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo presented the Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass during a spectacular ceremony broadcast simultaneously in both cities, with Paris celebrating at night while Los Angeles enjoyed the daytime sun on the Pacific coast.
During the closing ceremony, IOC President Thomas Bach described the Paris Summer Games as “amazing” and conducted in an “unparalleled atmosphere.”
80 thousand spectators at the closing of the Paris Olympics
Bach, who is set to step down as president of the committee in 2025 after twelve years in the position, remarked during his speech at the Stade de France closing ceremony: “They were remarkable Games from start to finish.”
“If Los Angeles attempted to replicate the Eiffel Tower, it would likely be a disaster,” Bach noted.
“Each Olympic Games should be unique, innovative, and reflect the culture of the host nation,” he added.
On social media, proud Parisians humorously directed attention at Los Angeles, sharing breathtaking images from this summer’s competition venues like the glass-roofed Grand Palais for fencing, the Palace of Versailles for equestrian events, and the Eiffel Tower for beach volleyball, juxtaposed with less appealing views of Southern California.
Just a few weeks prior, the prospects for the Games succeeding in the City of Light appeared bleak. France was embroiled in a political crisis, and security officials voiced significant concerns over potential attacks. Many locals seemed indifferent or uncertain about the Games.
The IOC could not afford further complications during these Games, facing pressures from sponsors and broadcasters after the Covid pandemic led to the previous Games in Beijing and Tokyo being held with considerably smaller audiences.
But the Games concluded with a ceremony at Stade de France on Sunday, and those anxieties seem to belong to the past as Paris rekindles the spirit of the Olympics.
Undoubtedly, the densely populated heart of Paris posed distinct opportunities and challenges compared to the vast expanse that Los Angeles will offer in the summer of 2028.
Nevertheless, Los Angeles officials assert they possess the expertise to host a major global event and can accomplish it at a lower cost compared to Paris 2024.
According to the Washington Post, the American city aims to organize the next event with a budget of $6.88 billion, as opposed to roughly $9.7 billion for the Paris Olympics, by minimizing the construction of many temporary venues and utilizing the compact University of California campus as an athlete’s village.
In the past two weeks, Los Angeles officials, top police leaders, and members of the 2028 Olympics organizing committee have traveled to Paris to observe the management of the global event.
“We may not have the Eiffel Tower, but we have the Hollywood Sign, and amazing locations,” Wasserman explained.
Bass acknowledged that Paris set a high standard and that Los Angeles’ issues with homelessness would be a challenge to address. However, she emphasized the city’s cosmopolitan appeal, stating, “We have Hollywood, which presents numerous magical opportunities,” she told Reuters.
Olympic Transport Challenge
When Los Angeles officials initiated their bid to host the Olympics, they pledged a significant enhancement to public transportation in a city known for its traffic congestion and the worst ozone pollution in the United States.
However, Paris has demonstrated how ambitious transportation projects can fall short.
The Grand Paris Express was envisioned as a pivotal feature of the Paris Games—a massive new metro network first proposed in 2007. Nearly two decades later, minimal progress has been made, with construction expected to continue well into 2030.
Los Angeles is counting on a subway extension to link downtown to the UCLA campus, scheduled to begin in 2027. This could transform a two-hour drive into a mere 30-minute train ride, making the Olympic Village concept more viable.
However, the city is falling short of its ambitious goal of completing 28 major infrastructure projects before the 2028 Olympics.
At a news conference on Saturday, Bass stated her objective, similar to Paris, is to achieve “games without cars.”
This will be a considerable undertaking in a city where most residents rely primarily on personal vehicles.
However, Bass made it clear: “Public transportation will be essential for accessing all locations.”
Bass cited Paris’s “open games” strategy for 2024 as a model for Los Angeles, emphasizing the importance of having “the entire city experience the Games.”
The French organizers have transformed Paris into an open-air Olympic stadium for everyone, ticket holders or not, showcasing the city’s most iconic tourist attractions and prioritizing temporary venues with stunning backdrops over costly and unnecessary constructions.
“It often feels far off,” remarked Pierre Rabadin, Paris’s deputy mayor in charge of the Olympics. “But four years fly by when you’re orchestrating the world’s largest event. And that’s the challenge Los Angeles will face.”
Paris exemplified how the funds and momentum from Olympic preparations can stimulate green initiatives, although fully delivering on some sustainability promises can prove difficult.
While the Paris 2024 Olympics embraced expanded bike lanes and bike-sharing programs, offsetting the millions of necessary flights remained challenging. Organizers also retracted an earlier commitment that the 2024 Games would be the first carbon-neutral Summer Olympics.
star studded city
In a dramatic ceremony to pass the Olympic flag marking the countdown to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, American actor Tom Cruise descended from the roof of the Stade de France during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics before taking the Olympic flag away.
When one ceremony ends, another begins. @TomCruise pic.twitter.com/rPS58Lwcxu
— LA28 (@LA28) August 11, 2024
A smiling Cruise greeted the athletes after his descent before hopping onto a motorcycle with the Olympic flag attached behind his seat to excite the full 80,000-capacity stadium.
IT’S A BIRD. IT’S A PLANE. IT’S TOM CRUISE! 🤯#ParisOlympics | #ClosingCeremony pic.twitter.com/5v4j8pOwBF
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
A pre-recorded video featured the 62-year-old actor parachuting out of a plane near the Hollywood sign, showcasing the Olympic rings being placed on the iconic Los Angeles landmark.
Tom Cruise flew into the Olympics closing ceremony 😎 pic.twitter.com/iGxYnZI3jy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 11, 2024
The flag was then carried by current and former U.S. Olympians on a journey through the city before arriving at a beach party, where performances included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and Snoop Dogg.
Ain’t no party like a West Coast party😎
IT’S OFFICIAL. Tune in tomorrow to watch the LA28 Handover Celebration at 7pm EST/PST on @NBCOlympics & @peacock. #NextUpLA28
Read the full press release here – https://t.co/EdGh3QLOcP pic.twitter.com/8KQdFooEES
— LA28 (@LA28) August 11, 2024
Following the remarkable success of the Paris Olympics, Los Angeles’ task might appear impossible, yet the celebrity-laden city will count on its stars, led by Cruise, as the attention of Olympic fans turns to Southern California.
“LA kind of has everything. You don’t even realize it.”
We don’t think we could love @billieeilish more. With a re-envisioned ‘A’, 9x Grammy award-winning artist, Billie Eilish, reflects on her new era. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/VbY1FWvaNA
— LA28 (@LA28) August 11, 2024
Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: Following Paris’ Legacy
The Transition From Paris to Los Angeles
As the world celebrated the closing of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Los Angeles began its preparations for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics. “We don’t have the Eiffel Tower, but we have the Hollywood sign,” remarked LA 2028 Olympic chief Casey Wasserman, emphasizing the unique character behind hosting the Olympics in the City of Angels.
During a stunning dual-ceremony to transfer the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles, Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris handed the Olympic flag to LA Mayor Karen Bass. This moment was symbolic, occurring simultaneously as Paris basked in night festivities while Los Angeles enjoyed its sunlit Pacific coast backdrop.
Impressions from Paris 2024
The closing celebrations featured a grand showcase of talent and success, with IOC President Thomas Bach describing the Paris Games as “amazing” and held in an “unparalleled atmosphere.” Paris has demonstrated how to successfully weave cultural elements into Olympic events, raising the bar for future hosts.
Bach specifically pointed out the need for originality in Olympic Games, suggesting that if Los Angeles tried to emulate landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, it could backfire. “Every Olympic Games should be original, creative and reflect the culture of the host country,” said Bach.
Learning from Challenges
The success of the Paris 2024 Games wasn’t a given; mere weeks prior, concerns around security and public sentiment loomed. Nonetheless, the remarkable integration of sports within Paris’ iconic landscape proved successful, leading to a newfound enthusiasm around the Olympic event.
In contrast, Los Angeles has its unique set of challenges. The vast city layout means logistical complexities that differ substantially from the crowded streets of Paris. Addressing homelessness and ensuring that the city remains glamorous for visiting sports fans is paramount.
Budgeting and Preparedness
Los Angeles is approaching its Olympic plans with a budget of approximately $6.88 billion. This marks a significant departure from Paris’s estimated $9.7 billion budget, driven largely by the city’s intention to minimize the need for temporary venues and instead utilize existing infrastructure, such as Student Housing at the University of California.
Los Angeles officials have engaged actively with their Paris counterparts, observing strategies and learning from Paris’ triumphs and pitfalls. A pronounced focus remains on ensuring a sustainable and efficient transport system that can handle the influx of visitors.
The Transport Dilemma
Los Angeles promised a major upgrade to public transportation by 2028; however, the reality is that substantial improvements are still in progress. The ambitious Grand Paris Express project faced delays and challenges but was meant to ensure seamless transportation during the Paris Games.
The upcoming Los Angeles Olympics will rely on smaller, targeted improvements, including a subway extension to connect downtown with key Olympic hubs. Mayor Bass emphasized a vision of “games without cars,” inspired by Paris’s approach, showcasing events to allow public accessibility.
Finding Unique Charisma in Los Angeles
While Paris showcased its history and culture with venues like the Grand Palais and the Palace of Versailles, Los Angeles looks to blend its entertainment culture into the Olympic spirit. The allure of Hollywood is focal, with Wasserman and Bass recognizing this distinctive feature as an advantage in attracting audiences.
Celebrities in the Spotlight
In a spectacle worthy of Hollywood, actor Tom Cruise participated in the flag handover ceremony, making a grand entrance via motorcycle after an exhilarating parachute descent with footage showcasing the iconic Hollywood sign. This glamorous touch aims to captivate audiences as Los Angeles primes itself for a star-studded Olympics.
Key Comparisons: Paris vs. Los Angeles
| Feature | Paris 2024 | Los Angeles 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $9.7 billion | $6.88 billion |
| Transport Buildout | Delayed projects | Subway extensions |
| Venue Style | Historic & Cultural | Entertainment-Driven |
| Celebrity Involvement | Moderate | High |
A Focus on Sustainability
The focus on sustainability through the Games has garnered mixed reviews. While Paris had ambitious goals, with promises of carbon neutrality, lasting impacts on infrastructure and the environment remain topics requiring attention. Los Angeles aims to prioritize sustainability yet faces skepticism as global attention focuses on real change versus promotional promises.
Final Remarks from Paris
The Paris 2024 Olympics proved to be a renaissance of spirit and fervor, showcasing not just athleticism but culture, creativity, and unity. As Los Angeles gears up to embrace these values, the journey promises to be just as exhilarating, though the world watches closely to see how it handles the task of imbuing their local character into Olympic history.
