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Calls for Los Angeles to surrender Olympic host role in wake of wildfires

Conservative commentators are calling on organisers and the IOC to abandon Los Angeles as hosts of the 2028 Olympics as fires continue to blaze in the city.

Wild footage of LA residents fleeing fires

The ability of Los Angeles to host the Olympics in 2028 is being threatened as out of control wildfires encroach on proposed venues and billions of dollars of damage is caused to structures around the city.

The raging Palisades Fire, which has caused the destruction of several multimillion-dollar properties over the past week, is pushing towards the historic Riviera Golf Club, a proposed 2028 venue that now lies within a designated evacuation zone.

The Olympic Villages is planned for the grounds of the UCLA campus, which is not far from the current Palisades fire front, while the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area - the second largest urban park in Los Angeles and venue for BMX, skateboarding and archery - was threatened by the Woodley Fire last week before it was brought under control.

Other venues, including SoFi Stadium, set to host swimming events and Carson Stadium, the site for track cycling and rugby, are about 30km from current fronts and in relatively built-up areas.

But it’s not just damage to Games infrastructure that is likely to be an issue.

The Palisades fire is moving towards the Riviera Country Club, the proposed golf venue for the LA 2028 Games, with the course now in an exclusion zone. Photo: Getty Images/Ronald Martinez
The Palisades fire is moving towards the Riviera Country Club, the proposed golf venue for the LA 2028 Games, with the course now in an exclusion zone. Photo: Getty Images/Ronald Martinez

Even before the fires have been brought under control, insurance estimates of more than $US20 billion ($AUD32 billion) have been made and any extra public spending on Games infrastructure would likely come under intense scrutiny.

The LA28 Games are “independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organisation with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee”, a statement on the event’s website says.

That private funding could save the event given any extra public expenditure in the wake of the infernos is likely to be highly unpopular given the extensive rebuild that will need to take place.

Conservative commentators have already called for the Games to be relocated to another US city, although this has as much to do with criticism of California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom as it does of the Games themselves.

Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk posted his opposition to an LA Olympics to X last week, arguing the event should be held in a city such as Miami or Dallas.

“The Los Angeles Olympics should be cancelled,” Kirk posted to his 4.4 million followers on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“If you can’t fill a fire hydrant, you aren’t qualified to host the Olympics. Move them to Dallas, or Miami, so the world’s athletes can compete in a place capable of actually safely building and running something.”

LA28 organisers though seem resolute, their only comments in the past week coming in support of the city and community it calls home and expressing gratitude for the efforts of firefighters and first responders.

“Our hearts are broken, but we are resilient and so proud to be part of this united and kind community,” a message posted to X read.

And the US Olympic and Paralympic team is standing by “our future summer Games host”.

“Team USA holds the city of Los Angeles, our future summer Games host, in our heart and thanks all those who are lending their support to those affected,” it posted on X under the simple message: “We’re with you, LA.”

Originally published as Calls for Los Angeles to surrender Olympic host role in wake of wildfires

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/olympics/calls-for-los-angeles-to-surrender-olympic-host-role-in-wake-of-wildfires/news-story/4d4e9b7d63576ff00234dfe664260c08