To the editor: If the 2028 Olympics end up taking place in Los Angeles, they might well earn the nickname “dictator games.”
Why is that? Once the president’s aggressive foreign policy has alienated our allies, we’ll find ourselves left with a handful of nations marked by authoritarian rule. We can count on the participation of countries like Russia and North Korea for sure, and maybe China. Beyond that, there aren’t many others.
Alienated and insulted by our leadership, many countries, along with their allies, may see boycotting the Olympics as a fitting response.
While the reaction from the White House might be along the lines of, “Great, more medals for us!” those in charge of sponsorships or ticket sales for the L.A. Games should brace themselves for a tough time.
If I were part of the International Olympic Committee, I’d already be on the hunt for an alternative host city—one that isn’t rapidly becoming a pariah in the international community.
Moreover, as the U.S. distances itself from Mexico (and, by extension, Central and South America) and Denmark (and, likewise, much of Europe), a boycott of the 2026 World Cup from these passionate soccer regions could very well be on the cards.
J.A. Hamilton, Boston
…
To the editor: The idea of L.A. hosting the 2028 Olympics was exciting just last year. But the city we are now is very different. Recent wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes, leaving many people without shelter or faced with the overwhelming process of rebuilding, selling, or finding other solutions.
It’s well-known that we’ve been grappling with a housing crisis for a long time, and now it’s reached colossal proportions. What Los Angeles really needs is to focus on helping our community recover. This is no small feat; we must turn our attention inward to heal and rethink how we rebuild our hometown.
While I’ve read about all the grand Olympic plans and acknowledge that they sound appealing, are they really what we need at this moment? The IOC could consider moving the 2028 Games to another city that doesn’t have to overcome the enormous hurdles we face here.
Maturity involves knowing when to say enough is enough and when to focus on the people who need our care and support. Our community members who have lost everything need our love and attention far more than they need the spectacle of the Olympics.
Jeanne Field, Los Angeles
