Long term wildfire recovery and homelessness management are main factors
by Larry Buford
Hosting the Olympic Games is expensive, and in many cases, the costs outweigh the revenues. The last time Los Angeles hosted the games in 1984, the estimated cost was around 20 billion, and revenue just over 200 million USD; but that was a different era.
Today, L.A. is faced with unfathomable disasters. Ever since the drought began about a decade ago, it seems each year has been in competition with the last to see which one can produce the most fire damage – the worst being this year, 2025, where most of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities were devastated.
Then there’s the ongoing homelessness crisis where we learned that half of the 2023 budget was not spent, and millions of dollars cannot be accounted for at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). There is a serious lack of a tangible comprehensive plan, leadership, and accountability. To make bad matters even worse, due to the fires, thousands more people are now joining the ranks of the homeless. The mayor’s “Inside, Safe” crusade is lagging.
Usually people, when they plan a special event at their home, will pull out all the stops to clean and decorate for the occasion. The same goes for hosting the games. Have you noticed L.A.s crumbling infrastructure lately? Have you driven down Century Boulevard – the gateway to/from (the L.A. airport) LAX – and noticed how bumpy and pothole-filled it has become? Have you driven down Sunset and Hollywood boulevards? These are just a few of the outlying thoroughfares that stretch to some of the biggest visitor attractions in the world, and of necessity, the city will undoubtedly make repairs leading up to 2028. The game is already on as city leaders add planning, budgeting, and sponsorships etc., to their to do lists.
To top it all off, with all the infighting, corruption, complacency, and finger pointing (Mayor Bass just removed L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley) amongst city leaders; they can’t seem to get a good grip on handling everyday issues much less the simultaneous prepping for the Olympic Games. L.A. is in crisis mode and cannot afford to be distracted by the enormity of hosting the games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a termination clause in their contract, and it would be a great favor to L.A. County taxpayers for the agreement to be vacated.
Larry Buford is a contributing writer. Author of “Things Are Gettin’ Outta Hand” and “Book To The Future” (Amazon). Email: LBuford8101@hotmail.com
