In brief
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order creating a strike‑team that brings together more than a dozen state agencies to guide the state’s commitments to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. The team, headed by former deputy chief of staff Jamie Callahan, will coordinate infrastructure upgrades, workforce development, and security, following new public‑safety legislation enacted in September. The effort aims to leave lasting benefits for residents and ensure a smooth, secure Games experience.
On Oct. 30, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order establishing a state‑wide “strike team” to oversee the United States’ largest sporting event in 2028, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The new body is tasked with coordinating planning across numerous state agencies, enhancing workforce opportunities, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring robust security arrangements.
The executive order names Jamie Callahan, the governor’s deputy chief of staff and senior counselor on infrastructure, as the strike team’s executive director. Callahan, a long‑time advocate of transportation modernization, will lead the effort to streamline interagency processes and reduce bureaucratic obstacles that could delay venue upgrades or travel improvements.
Under the order, the strike team will bring together more than a dozen agencies—including the California Office of Emergency Services, the Department of Transportation, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation—to deliver a cohesive state strategy for the Games. The group will focus on creating new jobs, expanding training programs for athletes and sporting‑event staff, and ensuring that tenant benefits persist long after the closing ceremonies.
California knows how to deliver on the world stage.
These words came from Newsom in a statement posted to the state’s official website. He added, “With the Olympics and Paralympics coming to Los Angeles in 2028, we’re making sure our state is ready to meet the moment.”
The 2028 Los Angeles Games are projected to cost roughly 7.2 billion U.S. dollars. While the City of Los Angeles is responsible for many transportation upgrades—such as expanding rail service and adding bus lanes—the state’s strike team will coordinate investments designed to enhance broad transport networks and modernize major venues. The initiatives are intended not only to accommodate the influx of visitors but also to provide long‑term benefits for California residents.
Security planning for the Games rests on multi‑level cooperation. The California Office of Emergency Services will help orchestrate police assistance from agencies across the state and the western United States, according to the Los Angeles Times. Meanwhile, the U.S. Secret Service holds ultimate authority over security for the Olympic and Paralympic events. The strike team will work with both entities to align state and federal protocols.
Newsom’s announcement follows new public‑safety legislation signed in September, designed to strengthen coordination among state, local, and federal law‑enforcement agencies for the Games. The law clarifies budget responsibilities, provides additional training resources for emergency responders, and establishes a shared communication platform for real‑time incident reporting.
The Olympic competition will run from July 14 to July 30, 2028, immediately followed by the Paralympic Games, scheduled from August 15 to August 27. Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, making it a familiar venue for the world’s premier sporting event.
While the strike team’s formation was a federal‑state collaborative effort, its work is grounded in California’s long history of infrastructure projects that benefit both residents and the economy. By coordinating agencies, entrepreneurs, and the existing LA 28 organizing committee, the team aims to ensure that the 2028 Games leave a lasting legacy—improved public transit, expanded job opportunities, and stronger community ties—while showcasing California’s capacity to host an event of international scope.
