Councilman Tom LaBonge Wants Olympics to Return to Los Angeles

Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, and now it could be heading toward the three-peat.

"Los Angeles is ready," City Councilman Tom LaBonge said Friday.

"It always is ready, but we still have to discuss it and also build the support through the community," he said. "The world lives in Los Angeles. It'd be great to welcome the world back to Los Angeles and the athletes for the Olympic Games."

The councilman introduced a motion Friday to explore a possible future Olympic bid.

Though some visitors to the Coliseum Friday were not alive for the 1984 games, they’ve heard tales of Olympic euphoria in the Southland and the glow of London’s experience has whetted their appetites.

"Of course LA should try and get the games back," said Sabrina Beason, of Exposition Park. "I think it’s very important to have the Olympics in California, bring some revenue in, and hopefully improve the state. But also it would be fun for the people just to see what that experience would be like."

Peter Ueberroth, 1984 Olympics organizer, says LA should have a good chance of hosting the Games again.

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"I just think LA, its volunteers and sports fans are unique," he said.

LaBonge has not said when he wants to see the games return to LA but floated the possibility of hosting in 2032 to mark 100 years since the city hosted its first Olympic Games.

The earliest would be 2024, assuming the United States Olympic Committee decides to bid in December for that Olympics.

In the past, LA has tried to join London as a three-time host of the Summer Games but the city’s 2016 bid was derailed when the United States Olympic Committee instead chose to submit Chicago, which ultimately lost out to Rio de Janeiro.

Since then, Los Angeles has expanded its rail transit in and around what would likely be downtown Olympic venues, and proposed Farmers Field looms as a rival to the venerable Coliseum as home to large stadium events.