From Steve Lackmeyer, The Oklahoman
It’s official. Oklahoma City can soon add “Olympic city” to its bragging rights.
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a request by LA28, the organization overseeing the 2028 Olympics, to locate the canoeing competition at Oklahoma City’s Riversport Rapids along the Oklahoma River and softball competition at Devon Park in the Adventure District.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was among those supporting the venue changes.
“The changes approved by the city council will improve the financial plan for the games and help us ensure that LA28 will leave a lasting legacy and turn a profit for the people of Los Angeles — as did our 1932 and 1984 Games,” Bass said.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, speaking at the McClendon Whitewater Center along the Oklahoma River, said the vote in Los Angeles will quickly be followed by items to be addressed by the Oklahoma City Council.
“This is no longer a proposal,” Holt said. “It is now official. Two sports from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — softball and canoe slalom — will be staged in their entirety in America’s 20th-largest city. This is really happening. The Olympics are coming to OKC.”
Holt said the city will work with the games host organization, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, on finalizing local commitments ”
After that council action, we anticipate announcements in the weeks and months to come about our local host organization, as well as opportunities to celebrate and commence the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” Holt said. “Suffice it to say, this means a lot of work lies ahead for OKC.”
OKC only location outside of Los Angeles to host two 2028 Olympic events
Oklahoma City is the only city approved to host two entire sets of games outside of southern California, Holt said. By locating events in Oklahoma City and other venues outside of Los Angeles but still in California, LA28 hopes to avoid building new venues that will not be used after the games.
Slalom and softball aligns with the sustainability policy adopted by the International Olympic Committee in 2019 that allows hosts to locate competitions in other cities to avoid costly construction of new venues that are later abandoned.
As part of site information submitted to the Los Angeles City Council, LA28 reported the relocation of the Slalom competitions to Oklahoma City will provide the organization with a projected gain of $32 million.
The original LA28 site plan proposed hosting the Slalom events in the city’s Sepulveda Basin. By holding the competitions in Oklahoma City, LA 28 reports expenses will be cut by $39 million with an offset of a $6 million drop in projected ticketed and ancillary event revenues.
LA28 also reported arrangements with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber include revenue and expense guarantees, potential revenue sharing from hosting the Olympic slalom and softball games.
LA28 also reported the Oklahoma City chamber’s proposal will not obligate Los Angeles to provide risk mitigation or reimbursement to Oklahoma City.
The city has yet to calculate an economic impact from the games along the river and at Devon Park, but Olympic venues are expected to draw up to 200,000 people during the 17-day event. The Olympic Games also are expected to be broadcast around the world.
Holt said the LA28 Olympics choosing venues in Oklahoma City wouldn’t be possible without the city’s investment in the Oklahoma River and the Whitewater Center and Devon Park, the world’s largest softball stadium.
“We’re hungry, and I think they’ve seen all of that,” Holt said. “We’ve yearned for the opportunity to show them what we’re going to do.”
Mike Knopp, founder of the Riversport Foundation, said his organization’s focus ahead is on improvements needed on the Whitewater rapids and other needs including spectator seating. As the mayor shared his comments Friday at the whitewater center, dozens of athletes were competing outside for world rankings.
One of those athletes, Casey Eichfeld from Charlotte, North Carolina, has traveled to Oklahoma City’s riverfront annually for the past decade and believes Olympic competitors will be impressed by the venue and the city.
“The city is wonderful and it’s been super-welcoming,” Eichfeld said. “This is like a home for us. I’ve loved watching the city grow.”
Holt said he expects the legacy of the Olympic Games in Oklahoma City will be felt for decades afterward.
“In the last 100 years, only two American cities have hosted, Los Angeles and Atlanta,” Holt said. “To have this opportunity is something that we never really imagined. The two weeks of the event are going to be a great economic boom for the city, an opportunity for a very special spotlight. This will always be a part of Oklahoma City’s identity that we were part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”
