LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles organizers received a vote of confidence from International Olympic Committee officials this week as preparations for the 2028 Summer Games enter a critical phase, with just over two years remaining until the opening ceremony.
IOC representatives spent several days in closed-door meetings with LA28 leadership, reviewing plans for transportation, security, venue operations and other key aspects of the Games.
“The team is ready, the games are on track, and the games are in the safe hands of a very qualified and a very capable team,” IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz said.
What You Need To Know
IOC officials say preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics remain on track
LA28 leaders view this summer’s FIFA World Cup as an opportunity to test key logistics
More than 11,000 athletes are expected to compete across over 30 venues in 2028
Questions remain over leadership controversies and protections for immigrant communities
The visit comes as Los Angeles prepares to host matches during this summer’s FIFA World Cup, an event that organizers see as an important opportunity to test systems that will be relied upon during the Olympics.
LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover said organizers will closely examine how fans move through venues and across the region, as well as security operations and transportation planning.
However, organizers caution that the World Cup and the Olympics present very different challenges. While the World Cup is spread across multiple cities and focuses on a single sport, the 2028 Olympics will bring more than 11,000 athletes to over 30 venues across Southern California.
“World Cup is an entirely different model in size and scale than what we’re putting on,” Hoover said.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for July 2028 at SoFi Stadium, leaving roughly 25 months for organizers to finalize plans for what is expected to be one of the largest sporting events ever held in the region.
The IOC visit also took place against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny surrounding LA28 leadership. Chairman Casey Wasserman has faced calls from some officials and advocacy groups to step down after his name appeared in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Wasserman has rejected calls to resign and said he continues to work closely with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Outside the meetings, community advocates also raised concerns about immigration enforcement during the Games. Activists urged organizers to provide assurances that undocumented workers, residents and visitors will not face targeting during Olympic-related events.
As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for both the World Cup and the Olympics, organizers face the challenge of delivering a successful global event while navigating the political and social issues that increasingly accompany major international sporting competitions.