Newsom Creates State Strike Force for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

The 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles are projected to cost $7.2 billion, a figure that prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to announce a new state-level intervention on Thursday. Newsom plans to sign an executive order on Friday to create the Olympic and Paralympic Games Delivery and Coordination Strike Team. The order will establish the position of executive director for this new entity, which is designed to manage the complex logistics of the upcoming games.

Jamie Callahan, a senior advisor to the governor, has been named as the leader of the strike team. Callahan has more than 15 years of experience advising California governors. He previously helped manage logistics for major events, including the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament held last summer. The governor's office stated that the team will identify opportunities to streamline permitting and improve communication across various state departments.

The primary function of the strike team is to ensure that more than a dozen state agencies cooperate effectively with local governments. These local entities include the City of Los Angeles and neighboring communities. The team will also work directly with LA28, the private, nonprofit organization responsible for running the Olympic and Paralympic events. Newsom said in a statement that coordination efforts had already begun with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover. He noted that California knows how to deliver on the world stage.

State agencies have already assumed specific roles in the preparation for the games. The California Office of Emergency Services has been tasked with coordinating police from across the state and the western United States. This effort aims to protect athletes, officials, and as many as 2 million fans expected to visit Southern California in the summer of 2028. The U.S. Secret Service retains ultimate authority over security, but state coordination is intended to support that federal effort.

The California Department of Transportation has agreed to make improvements to highways and freeways to ensure athletes and officials reach events on time. The department will also mount a public relations campaign to encourage visitors and residents to use alternative transportation methods. The governor's office cited previously approved state funding as a foundation for these efforts. This includes more than $100 million for upgrades to Exposition Park, home to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and $257 million set aside last summer for creating and enhancing mobility hubs.

Transit officials in Los Angeles County have sought additional state financial support for infrastructure projects. L.A. Metro requested $379 million during the most recent legislative session but received only $20 million. The agency expressed dismay at the shortfall, particularly regarding $138 million for a cloud-based computing system and traffic cameras. Another $65 million for emergency light rail tracks was not advanced by the Legislature, a gap that concerns officials as passenger loads are expected to double during the games. The strike team is expected to address these inter-agency communication gaps moving forward.