When we conducted our recent survey on the 2028 Olympics, we gave respondents a chance to share their thoughts in their own words – something the bid and organizing committees for the 2028 Games never gave Californians or Angelenos the chance to do. Many of their concerns mirrored our own analysis of the effect the Olympics will have on Los Angeles.
Others echoed familiar complaints about the already dismal traffic in our city, the state of public transportation, and the effect cost overruns might have on taxpayers. And, in many cases, even those who supported the Games ultimately agreed on the effects they might have – they just thought those effects (like the further displacement of our unhoused neighbors) would be a good thing. Here are some selected responses from our survey:
“I’ll be willing to bet most people in the LA area couldn’t care less if the Olympics came to their city.”
“Most residents will not benefit.”
“From what I have seen in the past, nothing seems to go as it was supposed to so I really don’t have an opinion.”
“Massive cost overruns will be pushed on all California taxpayers, not just the LA ones.”
“Only the greedy will profit.”
“Money will be spent in the wrong places. The money needs to fix the issues in the city.”
“The Olympics will disrupt an already chaotic county and cause more problems financially, socially, and environmentally.”
“I mean maybe you guys will have fixed your public transportation and traffic issue but let’s be real it’s gonna be a cluster fuck that’s going to cost an arm and a leg. glad I live in SD, pissed if I have to pay for it.”
“Taxpayers were not given a choice regarding hosting the 2028 Olympics.”
“Depends on demands of IOC. Extreme demands requiring compliance can lead to severe cost over-runs. La & Calufornia should not be responsuble for unlimited monies due from actions which are out of its control. If we make a decision, we should pay. If they make a decision, THEY should pay.”
“While it’s an honor to host the games and it brings in revenue, the effort and money involved in prep and followup will take away from other critical issues facing LA and exacerbate its current challenges, as well as create new ones.”
“It will be cool the homeless are out, and tons of tourists which mean $$ for LA”
“Blue collar workers will suffer not to mention how even more poorly our homeless will be treated.”
“Almost all the money will go to the Olympic commitee and the regular resident never goes to see any money.”
“I can’t imagine it bringing anything good at all beyond the tourism revenues. Traffic congestion (more than ever!), crime, more issues to be faced by the working poor & homeless, more strain on first responders & resources, increased prices for pretty much everything, etc.”
“I first thought of the financial benefits of the olympics from a business standpoint, but the social toll (housing Immigration) is first in importance, then the possible economic impact has to be weighed out. People in fear due to immigration is more worrisome than the cost to california. I’m sure it would raise my property value. So I’m not really worried about the fiscal impact as a californian, but the benefits from being a southern californian.”
“It will be good short term, LA was one of the only cities to actually make money when they were here in 84, but i think long term it will escalate the housing and homeless crisis to epic proportions.”
“I think it will increase economic development in poorer areas of Los s Angeles and lead to gentrification in some areas as well.”
“I feel like it will be great for LA tourism and local businesses but not for local residents in poverty.”
“The rich will get richer, the poor will get poorer. There will be conflict at many levels, including intense resentment from those who will be displaced and those who will loose even what little help they now receive so that the city can pay for this spectacle. Bread and Circuses, especially with no bread, are an even worse idea now than they were in the Roman empire.”
“Before the games, la may see an increase in business, traffic, etc., however the financial toll on the city will ultimately not be worth it. The homeless population will increase in my opinion.”