‘The priority now is the people’ – Statement released over 2028 Olympics amid move rumours as wildfires decimate LA
BROADCASTERS have been told the LA Olympics will go ahead as planned despite the widespread city wildfires this month.
At least 28 people have been confirmed dead in the fires, which burned in the Altadena area and the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
More than 100,000 people were evacuated and more than 12,000 structures burned in horror scenes.
Officials at Warner Bros. Discovery held talks with the International Olympic Committee following the tragedy but have been assured it is business as usual.
Scott Young is SVP Content, Productions and Business Operations for WBD Sports Europe, who will broadcast the next four Summer and Winter Games in the UK.
He said: “There is no noise or discussion right now that it will have any impact on LA 2028.
“The tragedy of these fires in Los Angeles is the focus right now and nobody is looking too far down the road.
“No infrastructure was significantly impacted, so they are not looking to rebuild anything that was required for the Olympic Games.
“The priority now is around the people, rebuilding homes and the infrastructure that has been damaged.”
The LA Olympics are expected to kick off on July 14, 2028 and will run until July 30.
The Paralympics will follow between August 15 and August 27.
This is the third time the Olympic Games take place in LA.
The Games first arrived in the American state back in 1932 and came back in 1984.