The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have raised concerns about the city’s readiness to host the 2028 Olympics, sparking debate over whether the region’s growing vulnerability to such disasters could jeopardise the Games. While none of the 80 planned Olympic venues have been directly impacted by the infernos, which have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed entire neighbourhoods, experts are questioning the feasibility of staging the world’s premier sporting event amid mounting climate risks.
Simon Chadwick, a professor of sport and geopolitical economy at Skema Business School in Paris, remarked to The iPaper, “Given the prospect of significant climate change, one has to wonder if a similar scenario could occur during the Games.” He raised concerns over the insurability of the event, calling it a potential “uninsurable mega-event.”
Although the wildfires threatened locations like the Riviera Country Club, which is set to host the Olympic golf tournament, most venues are situated outside high-risk fire zones. Historical data suggests that the likelihood of a similar disaster during the Games is low, particularly as the event will take place in July, a period when the infamous Santa Ana winds are absent. Additionally, Los Angeles successfully hosted the Olympics in 1932 and 1984 without incident.
Bill Deverell, a historian at the University of Southern California, emphasised that the disaster could serve as a valuable learning opportunity. “Once this is over, we should expect lessons to be learned about mitigating such catastrophes,” he said. Meanwhile, other experts, like Pennsylvania State University’s Mark Dyerson, have floated contingency plans, including relocating the Games to Paris, the 2024 host city, if necessary.
California Governor Gavin Newsom assured the public that preparations for the 2028 Olympics, along with the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Super Bowl in 2027, remain on track. Speaking to NBC, Newsom framed the upcoming events as opportunities for progress and collaboration. However, conservative commentators have seized on the crisis to call for the Games to be relocated, with one suggesting Dallas or Miami as alternative hosts.
Despite the criticism, Deverell dismissed the notion of cancelling or moving the Olympics, insisting that such drastic measures were highly unlikely. Los Angeles 2028 organisers have yet to comment on the situation.
