With World Cup in rearview, LA must prepare for the Olympics or prepare to fail

The World Cup is finally, sadly, over — and now it’s LA’s turn to prepare for the next big international event: 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.The city is far from ready.The much-anticipated People Mover at LAX, which was supposed to be ready in time for the World Cup, is still delayed by testing and lawsuits.The homeless encampments remain a major problem.

No one is going to want to walk around a city in which you have to step over sleeping bodies or flee from raving madmen.The damage from last year’s wildfires is still a major eyesore.The rebuilding effort should be an opportunity to showcase the can-do American spirit.

Instead, the slow pace of progress is a grim testimony to LA’s dysfunction.There have been some positive signs.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story After The California Post raised the question of how LA would pay for cost overruns, the city reached a deal with the LA28 organizing committee. That will protect taxpayers from a fiscal burden that could have stretched far into the future, long after the athletes and spectators had gone home.The city has also shelved some of its differences with the Trump administration, and both are working together.But more needs to be done.

And a good place to start would be with the lessons of the World Cup.What worked best was allowing ordinary people to share in the economic opportunities of a big international event.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!Social media channels were filled with excited videos of...