The Los Angeles 2028 GeOlympics: What? Why? How?

The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles from July 14–30, making Los Angeles only the third city(after London and Paris)to host the Summer Games three times. Los Angeles is an attractive Olympic venue not only because of its mild climate and global tourist appeal, but also because of its remarkable physical setting: a major coastal metropolis situated adjacent to actively deforming mountain ranges rising to elevations above 10,000 feet. This unique geological context provides an exceptional opportunity to connect a globally watched sporting event with public understanding of how Earth systems operate.
The geology of the Los Angeles region is far more dynamic and diverse than that of other Summer Olympic host cities. The convergence of intense public interest in the Olympics with an unusually compelling natural setting creates a rare opportunity for large-scale informal STEM education focused on Earth science and natural history. Leveraging this moment could engage audiences ranging from K–12 students to lifelong learners, both locally and worldwide. We refer to this proposed effort as the LA2028 GeOlympics.

This initiative aims to capitalize on global attention surrounding the 2028 Games by providing accessible, place-based explanations of the geological history of the Los Angeles region, particularly around Olympic venues, and by illustrating how tectonics, climate, and surface processes have shaped this iconic landscape. Achieving this goal will require coordinated collaboration among the region’s extensive educational and cultural infrastructure, including 14 college and university geology departments, 19 community colleges, approximately 2,000 K–12 schools, 136 museums, hundreds of environmental organizations, and a broad range of media outlets. This presentation outlines the vision for LA2028 GeOlympics, discusses organizational and funding needs, and explores pathways for collaboration with the LA28 Organizing Committee to transform the Olympics into a powerful platform for Earth science education.