Los Angeles unable to cancel 2028 Olympic Games despite city safety concerns

Los Angeles is pressing forward with plans to host the 2028 Olympics, amid rising public debate about whether the city could or should bow out. Social media has buzzed with speculation, the Los Angeles Times recently announced, fueled by recent natural disasters, political discontent, and financial trials.

Once awarded, the Olympic Games contractually bind a host city to the event, and Los Angeles is no exception. In 2017, city leaders, including then-Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council President Herb Wesson, committed to the Host City Contract (HCC) with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the LA Times reported. This agreement gives the IOC the sole authority to withdraw the Games, leaving Los Angeles without a legal pathway to cancel or renegotiate under current conditions, said international arbitration lawyer Nathan O'Malley, according to the LA Times.

While the possibility of cancellation is remote, challenges still loom for the LA28 Olympics. Public safety is a top concern, especially following devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. The city’s emergency response capacity has been called into question, and worries about displacing homeless residents due to Olympic-related construction persist, the LA Times says.

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Moreover, tension over national politics and financial pressure compound the difficulties. The LA Times details a continuous debate over the potential misuse of public funds for the Games amidst the city's $1-billion deficit. Concerns are compounded by wide-reaching immigration raids, which have stirred anxiety in local communities since the beginning of summer when ICE protests broke out across the country, including in LA and Chicago.

Despite these issues, the LA28 committee has secured $5 billion of its $7 billion privately-funded sponsorship goal, as reported by Inside the Games, indicating strong financial backing for the event.

The path to hosting remains complex yet steadfast, with the Olympic opening scheduled for July 14, 2028, which the LA Times points out is during wildfire season. Chicago recently saw wildfire smoke overtake Lollapalooza earlier this month, as experts urged people to minimize time outdoors, the Weather Channel reported. While the festivities continued despite the inconvenient interruption, it’s unclear how the same incident would affect a larger-scale event like the Olympics.